METHODS 


OF 

MISSION  WORK 


HY 


REV.  JOHN  L.  NEVIUS,  D.D. 

Missionary  io  China 

library  OF  PRIN^SETON 


JAN  - 9 2008 


theological  seminary 

Foreign  Mission  Library 


156  Fifth  Avenue 
NEW  YORK 


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EDITOR’S  PREFACE  TO  THE  SECOND 
EDITION 


The  first  edition  of  Methods  of  Missicfk  Work  was 
reprinted  from  the  Chmese  Recorder  by  the  Ameri- 
can Presbyterian  Mission  Press,  Shanghai,  1886.  The 
Shanghai  edition  of  this  little  book  has  been  .exhausted 
for  some  time,  and  the  increased  interest  in  the  study  of 
missionary  methods  having  created  a new  demand  for 
such  works,  it  has  been'  reprinted  in  the  United  States 
in  a more  convenient  form. 

A true  estimate  of  a man’s  work  is  rarely  possible 
while  it  is  yet  unfinished.  In  no  department  of  human 
effort  is  this  more  frequent  than  in  the  work  of  a mis- 
sionary. He  is  constantly  treading  on  new  ground ; and 
while  the  principles  upon  which  he  operates  remain 
unchanged,  the  methods  of  their  application  vary  so 
widely  as  his  work  enlarges  that  he  looks  upon  many 
of  his  plans  as  experimental.  Dr.  John  L.  Nevius’ 
life  is  written  into  his  book,  unconsciously,  but  just  as 
truly.  No  monument  to  his  memory  could  impress  upon 
his  contemporaries  or  the  generation  following  so  deeply 
the  real  worth  of  the  man  as  do  these  ‘‘Letters,”  as  he 
terms  them,  written  really  to  his  brother,  missionaries  in 
China  through  the  columns  of  the  Chinese  Recorder. 

The  methods  set  forth  are  flexible  and  accompanied 
with  so  much  that  is  wise  and  discriminating  that  it 
may  fairly  be  said  that  the  spirit  of  the  method  is  as 
clearly  evidenced  as  the  method  itself.  It  removes  one 
wholly  from  the  spirit  of  dealing  with  hirelings  to  one 
of  blessed  privilege  of  working  with  brethren  in  the  Lord 
for  the  glory  of  God  as  supreme. 


New  York,  May,  j/st,  i8g^. 


METHODS  OF  MISSION'WORK 


Chapter  1T. 

INTRODUCTION 

A* request  from  the  Editor  of  the  Chinese  Recorder  to 
prepare  for  publication  some  account  of  the  character 
and  results  of  our  country  work  in  Shantung,  and  pri- 
vate letters  from  various  sources  asking  for  information 
on  the  same  general  subject,  have  furnished  evidence 
that  such  information  may  be  of  service,  more  especially 
to  young  missionaries. 

The  interest  which  has  been  taken  in  our  work  in  cen- 
tral Shantung,  by  missionaries  in  other  provinces,  is  due 
no  doubt  to  the  fact  that  we  have  to  some  extent  adopted 
new  principles  and  methods.  It  is  too  early  to  deter- 
mine what  the  final  issue  of  this  new  departure  ’»*^ill  be, 
but  perhaps  not  too  soon  to  derive  some  important  les- 
sons from  present  facts  and  experiences  and  results  so 
far  as  developed. 

The  adoption  of  the  new  plan  having  been  the  result 
in  many  cases  of  difficulties  and  discouragements  in 
connection  with  the  previous  one,  our  present  position 
will  be  best  understood  by  considering  the  two  systems, 
which  may  for  the  sake  of  convenience  be  called  the  Old 
and  the  New,  in  their  relation  to  each  other.  In  the 
following  letters  we  will  present  the  reasons  which  have 
led  to  the  disuse  of  the  former,  and  adoption  of  the 
latter,  and  the  manner  in  which  the  transition  has  been 
made. 


4 


/iRetboDs  ot  /iRission  Morh 


I think  it  may  be  stated  that  thirty  years  ago,  mission- 
aries in  China,  with  few  if  any  exceptions,  followed  the 
Old  Method.  • The  change  of  view  has  not  been  sudden 
but  gradual  and  always  in  the  same  direction,  producing 
a continually  widening  and  more  irreconcilable  breach 
between  the  two  systems.  There  is  now  a prevailing 
disposition  in  our  part  of  the  field,  at  least  among  the 
missionaries  of  the  American  Presbyterian,  the  English 
Baptist,  and  the  American  Baptist  Missions,  to  follow 
the  New  Plan,  which  may  still  however  be  regarded  as 
in  a formative  and  tentative  stage  of  development. 

These  two  systems  may  be  distinguished  in  general  by 
the  former  depending  largely  on  paid  native  a^iicy, 
while  the  latter  deprecates  and  seeks  to  minimize  such 
agency^  Perhaps  an  equally  correct  and  more  generally 
acceptable  statement  of  the  difference  would  be,  that, 
while*  both  alike  seek  ultimately  the  establishment  of 
independent,  self-reliant,  and  aggressive  native  churches, 
the  Old  System  strives  by  the  use  of  foreign  funds  to 
foster  and  stimulate  the  growth  of  the  native  churches 
in  the  first  stage  of  their  development,  and  then  grad- 
ually to  discontinue  the  use  of  such  funds;  while  those 
who  adopt  the  New  System  think  that  the  desired  object 
may  be  best  attained  by  applying  principles  of  indepen- 
dence and  self-reliance  from  the  beginning.  The  differ- 
ence between  these  two  theories  may  be  more  clearly 
seen  in  their  outward  practical  working.  The  Old  uses 
freely,  and  as  far  as  practicable,  the  more  advanced  and 
intelligent  of  the  native  church  members,  in  the  capacity 
of  paid  Colporteurs,  Bible  Agents,  Evangelists,  or  Heads 
of  Stations;  while  the  New  proceeds  on  the  assumption 
that  the  persons  employed  in  these  various  capacities 
would  be  more  useful  in  the  end  by  being  left  in  their 
^ original  homes  and  employments. 

The  relative  advantages  of  these  systems  may  be  de- 
termined by  two  tests — adaptability  to  the  end  in  view, 
and  Scripture  authority.  Some  missionaries  regard  the 
principles  and  practices  adopted  by  the  Apostles  in  early 
times  and  recorded  in  the  Scriptures  as  inapplicable  to 


■ffntrobuction 


5 


our  changed  circumstances  in  China  in  this  19th  cen- 
tury. Leaving  the  consideration  of  this  question  for 
the  present,  it  will  no  doubt  be  acknowledged  by  all, 
that  any  plan  which  will  bear  the  application  of  the  two 
tests,  of  adaptability  and  Scripture  authority,  has  a much 
stronger  claim  upon  our  regard  and  acceptance  than  a 
plan  which  can  only  claim  the  sanction  of  one  test. 

As  a matter  of  fact  the  change  of  views  of  not  a few 
of  the  older  missionaries  in  China  is  due,  not  to  theoret- 
ical, but  practical  considerations.  The  Old  System  has 
been  gradually  discarded  because  it  did  noTwork,  or  be- 
cause it  worked  evil.  In  my  own  case  I can  say  that 
every  change  in  opinion  was  brought  about  by  a long 
and  -painful  experience  ; and  conclusions  arrived  at, 
have  been  only  a confirmation  of  what  I regard  as  the 
teachings  of  the  Bible  ; and  the  same  conclusions  might 
have  been  reached  with  an  immense  economy  of  time 
and  labor  by  simply  following  the  authoritative  guide 
which  God  has  given  us.  IXlhe  New  System  be  indeed 
sanctioned  by  Scripture  authority  as  well  as  by  the  tests 
of  practical  adaptability  and  use,  an  exchange  or  rever- 
sal in  the  application  of  the  names  New  and  Old  would 
be  more  in  accordance  with  fact. 

In  stating  what  I regard  as  serious  objections  to  pre- 
vious methods,  I may  come  in  conflict  with  the  opinions 
of  my  brethren.  I desire  however  to  write,  not  in  the 
spirit  of  a critic,  much  less  of  a censor;  but  earnestly 
desirous  of  knowing  the  truth.  I have  in  former  years 
to  a considerable  extent  believed  Tir~and  worked  upon 
the  Old  System,  and  what  I have  to  say  by  way  of  strict- 
ures on  it,  may  be  considered  as  a confession  of  personal 
error,  rather  than  fault  finding  with  others.  Foreigners 
who  have  come  to  China  to  devote  themselves  to  business 
or  diplomacy  have  made  their  mistakes.;  it  is  not  strange, 
but  rather  to  be  expected,  that  we  should  make  ours.  Let 
us  acknowledge  them  and  profit  by  them. 

I am  aware  that  it  is  possible  to  state  facts  in  such  a 
way  that  the  impression  given  will  be  a false  one,  and 
the  conclusions  arrived  at  misleading.  It  will  be  my 


6 7lRctbot)s  of  /lRl60ion  Morh 


earnest  endeavor  in  the  ensuing  papers,  not  only  to  give 
facts  and  honest  conclusions  therefrom,  but  to  present 
them  in  such  a way  that  the  impression  given  will  be,  if 
not  always  an  agreeable  one,  yet  strictly  true  and  just. 

I wish  further  to  disclaim  all  assumption  of  ability  to 
speak  authoritatively  on  this  subject,  as  though  I had  my- 
self reached  its  final  solution.  The  effect  of  long  ex- 
perience in  mission  work  has  been  in  my  case  to  deepen 
a sense  of  incompetency,  and  to  excite  wonder  in  re- 
membering the  inconsiderate  rashness  and  self-depend- 
ence of  a quarter  of  a century  ago.  Still,  though  we 
may  not  feel  competent  to  give  advice,  we  may  at  least 
give  a word  of  warning.  Though  we  may  not  have 
learned  what  to  do  in  certain  cases  and  under  certain 
circumstances,  is  it  not  much  to  have  learned  what  7iot 
to  do,  and  to  tread  cautiously,  where  we  do  not  know 
the  way,  and  to  regard  with  hesitation  and  suspicion  any 
preconceived  opinion  which  we  know  to  be  of  doubtful 
expediency,  especially  if  it  is  unauthorized  by  Scripture 
teaching  and  example?  ' 

I gladly  recognize  the  fact  that  the  use  of  other  methods, 
depending  to  a greater  or  less  extent  on  paid  agents,  has 
in  many  cases  been  followed  with  most  happy  results ; 
and  that  to  a certain  extent  tried  and  proved  native 
agents  must  be  employed.  I do  not  wish  to  make  in- 
vidious comparisons,  much  less  to  decide  where  the  happy 
mean  in  using  a paid  agency  lies. 

Let  us  bear  in  mind  that  the  best  methods  cannot  do 
away  with  the  difficulties  in  our  work  which  come  from 
the  world,  the  flesh,  and  the  devil ; but  bad  methods 
may  multiply  and  intensify  them.  For  unavoidable  dif- 
ficulties we  are  not  responsible ; for  those  which  arise 
from  disregard  of  the  teachings  of  Scripture  and  experi- 
ence we  are. 

Let  us  also  remember  that  while  in  undertaking  the 
momentous  task  committed  to  us,  we  should  by  the  study 
of  the  Scriptures,  prayer  for  divine  guidance,  and  com- 
parison of  our  varied  views  and  •experiences,  seek  to 
know  what  is  the  best  method  of  work ; still,  the  best 


■ffntroDuctlon 


7 


method  without  the  presence  of  our  Master  and  the 
Spirit  of  all  Truth  will  be  unavailing.  A bad  method 
may  be  so  bad  as  to  make  it  unreasonable  to  explect 
God’s  blessing  in  connection  with  it;  a right  and  Scrip- 
tural method,  if  we  trust  in  it,  as  our  principal  ground 
of  hope,  might  be  fojjowed  for  a life-time  without  any 
good  results.  , 

With  this  much  by  way  of- introduction,  I propose  in 
the  next  paper  to  consider  some  objections  to  the  Old 
Method. 


Chapter  1[1T? 


OBJECTIONS  TO  THE  OLD  METHOD. 

It  is  only  natural  that  missionaries  should  at  first  seek 
and  employ  many  native  agents.  They  are  anxious  for 
immediate  results,  and  home  societies,  and  the  home 
churches,  are  as  impatient  to  hear  of  results  as  mission- 
aries are  to  report  them.  No  communications  from  the 
field  seem  so  indicative  of  progress,  and  are  so  calculated 
' to  call  forth  commendation  and  generous  contributions 
as  the  announcement  that  native  laborers  have  been  ob- 
tained, and  are  preaching  the  gospel.  While  the  mis- 
sionary himself  is  for  months  or  years  debarred  from 
evangelistic  work  by  his  ignorance  of  the  language,  a 
native  agency  stands  waiting  his  employ.  His' circum- 
stances and  his  wishes  add  strong  emphasis  to  the  oft 
repeated  truism,  ‘‘China  must  be  evangelized  by  the 
-Chinese.”  So  urgent  seems  the  necessity  to  obtain 
native  assistants,  that  if  such  as  he  would  like  are  not 
forth-coming,  he  is  glad  to  avail  himself  of  such  as  he 
can  get.  How  many  of  us  have  thought  in  connection 
with  some  specially  interesting  enquirer,  even  before  he 
is  baptized,  “What  a captial  assistant  that  man  may 
make.  ’ ’ 

While  the  circumstances  of  the  missionary  furnish  the 
strongest  motives  to  induce  him  to  multiply  native  agents 
as  fast  as  possible,  the  circumstances  of  the  natives  nat- 
urally and  very  strongly  lead  to  the  same  result.  The 
dense  population  of  this  country,  and  the  sharp  struggle 
for  existence  which  it  necessitates,  have  developed  in  the 
Chinaman  a singular  aptitude  for  finding  and  using  ways 
and  means  for  making  a living.  The  comparatively  ex- 


©bjectlone  to  tbe  ®lb  /IftctboD 


9 


pensive  mode  of  life,  as  a rule  absolutely  necessary  for 
foreigners,  in  order  to  live  in  China  with  any  reasonable 
hope  of  health,  and  usefulness,  naturally  suggests-  the 
idea  to  the  native  that  so  intimate  a relation  as  that 
which  subsists  between  a teacher  and  his  disciples  will 
in  this  case  undoubtedly  prove  a profitable  one.  The 
Famine  Relief  work  in  the  northern  provinces-left  the 
impression  that  foreigners  have  money  in  abundance, 
and  are  very  ready  to  give  it  to  those  in  need ; and 
there  are  many  about  us  now  as  much  in  need  as  some 
who  received  aid  during  the  famine.  It  is  not  strange, 
but  only  human,  that  natives  under  these  circumstances 
should  see  their  opportunity,  •and  make  the  most  of  it. 

With  these  strong  motives  in  the  minds  of  the  mission- 
aries and  natives  conspiring  to  the  same  result,  it  is  not 
without  excuse  that  we  should  have  fallen  into  what  I 
now  believe  is  a serious  mistake,  utterly  unaware  of  the 
danger  and  injury  to  the  mission  cause  which  ten,  twenty, 
or  thirty  years  of  experience  have  disclosed.  In  this 
opinion  I am  not  alone ; and  it  is  a significant  fact  that 
those  who  hold  it,  are  for  the  most  part  persons  who 
have  had  a long  experience  on  mission  ground.  To 
some,  these  lessons  have  come  too  late  to  be  of  much 
service  to  them  individually ; but  they  will  be  none  the 
less  useful  to  those  who  are  willing  to  profit  by  the 
experiences  of  others. 

I fully  recognize  the  fact  that  the  employment  and  pay 
of  native  laborers  is,  under  suitable  circumstances,  legi- 
timate and  desirable;  as  much  so  as  the  employment  and 
pay  of  foreigners.  Here  however  the  important  ques- 
tions arise,  who  shall  be  employed,  and  when  and  how, 
shall  they  be  employed  ? These  questions  will  come  up 
for  consideration  in  the  course  of  this  series  of  letter. 

The  following  are  some  of  the  objections  to  what  we 
have  agreed  to  call  the  ‘‘Old  System.” 

(p-Making  paid  agents  of  new  converts  affects  injuriously 
the  stations  with  which  they  are  connected. 

A well  informed  and  influential  man,  perhaps  the  lead- 


lo 


^etbo^s  of  ^lesion  TlClorb 


ing  spirit  in  a new  station,  is  one  who  can  be  ill-spared. 

removal  , may  be  most  disastrous  to  the  station,  and 
'hdTmnself  may  never  find  elsewhere  such  an  opportunity 
fdFdoihg  good.  I have  in  mind  four  persons  who  about 
twenty-eight  years  ago  gave  great  promise  of  usefulness 
in  their  homes  in  connection  with  our  out-stations  in 
Ningpo.  While  working  with  their  hands  in  their  sev- 
eral callings  they  bore,  testimony  to  the  truth  wherever 
they  went,  and  were  exciting  great  interest  in  their  own 
neighborhoods.  It  was  not  long,  however,  before  these 
m^  were  employed,  one  by  one  mission,  another  by 
another,  and  the  interest  in  Christianity  in  and  about 
tfieTr  homes  ceased.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  they  did 
some  good  in  the  positions  which  they  afterwards  occu- 
pied ; but  I have  not  been  able  to  learn  of  any  one 
of  them,  that  his  after  career  was  a specially  useful 
one.  I refer  to  these  cases  not  as  unusual  and  except- 
ional. I could  add  many  others  from  Chekiang  and 
Shantung ; and  I doubt  not  that  similar  instances  will 
occur  to  the  minds  of  most  missionaries  who  read  this 
paper. 

The  injury  to  a station  in  these  cases  does  not  consist 
simply  in  the  loss  of  the  man’s  influence  for  good ; — 
positive  evil  is  introduced.  Envy,  jealousy,  and  dis- 
satisfaction with  their  lot,  are  very  apt  to  be  excited  in 
the  minds  of  those  who  are  left.  Others  think  that 
they  also  should  be  employed,  if  not  as  preachers,  as 
servants,  or  in  some  other  capacity.  It  would  be  a less 
serious  matter  if  this  feeling  could  be  confined  to  the 
station  where  it.  originates,  but  unfortunately  it  extends 
to  other  places  and  there  produces  the  same  injurious 
effects.  The  religious  interest  which  passed  like  a wave 
over  the  neighborhood,  gives  place  to  another  wave  of 
excitement,  and  the  topics  of  conversation  are  now 
place  and  pay.  The  man  employed  has  lost  very  much 
the  character  he  bore  as  a disinterested  worker  for  the 
spiritual  good  of  others,  and  is  now  likely  to  be  regarded 
by  many  as  a kind  of  employ-agent  who  ought  to  use  his 
influence  to  get  them  places. . 


©bjectfone  to  tbe  Qib  /Ibetbob 


II 


II. — Making  a paid  agent  of  a new  convert  often  proves  an 
injury  to  him  personally. 

He  is  placed  in  a position  unfavorable  to  the  develop- 
ment of  a strong,  healthy,  Christian  character.  Some 
of  these  men,  originally  farriers,  shop  keepers,  peddlers, 
or  laborers  in  the  fields,  find  themselves  advanced  to  a 
position  for  which  they  are  by  previous  habits  and  train- 
ing unsuited.  The  long  gown  and  the  affected  scholarly 
air  are  not  becoming  to  them,  and  they  naturally  lose 
the  respect  of  their  neighbors  and  their  influence  over 
them.  Men  who  were  self-reliant  and  aggressive  in 
their  original  positions,  now  perform  their  routine  labors 
in  a formal  and  perfunctory  manner.  Some,  on  the 
other  hand,  are  puffed  up  with ’pride  and  self-conceit, 
and  become  arrogant  and  offensive.  Here  again  I am 
not  theorizing,  but  speaking  from  experience,  and  could 
multiply  cases — as  I presume  most  missionaries  could — 
of  deterioration  of  character  in  both  directions  above 
indicated. 

No  doubt  the  employment  of  some  of  these  men  has 
been  followed  by  good  results,  but  it  is  still  a question 
whether  they  might  not  have  accomplished  more  had 
they  been  left  where  they  were  found.  Some  of  them 
have  proved  most  unsatisfactory  to  their  employers,  but 
are  retained  in  their  places  from  year  to  year,  because  it 
seems  an  injustice  to  send  them  back  to  a mode  of  life 
for  which  they  have  become  unfitted.  Others  have  been 
dismissed  from  service,  and  returned  to  their  homes  dis- 
appointed and  aggrieved;  while  not  a few  when  they 
have  been^  dropped  as  employees  have  dropped  their 
f^Jhristianity,  brought  reproach  upon  the  cause  of  Christ, 
become  the  enemies  of  the  Church,  and  given  evidence 
that  they  were  only  hirelings — never  fit  to  be  enrolled 
either  as  preachers  or  as  church  members. 

III. — The  Old  System  makes  it  difficult  to  judge  between  the 
true  and  false,  whether  as  preachers  or  as  church  members. 

That  the  Chinese  are  adepts  in  dissembling,  no  one 
who  has  been  long  in  China  will  deny.  The  fact  that 


12 


^ctbot)6  ot  mission  MorlK 


not  a few,  who  were  earnest  preachers  have  fallen  away 
when  they  have  ceased  to  be  employed  has  already  been 
referred  to.  How  many  others  there  are  now  in  employ 
whose  professions  are  suspended  on  their  pay  no  one  can 
tell.  The  .Chinese  are  close  analysts  of  character,  and 
know  how  to  adapt  themselves  to  circumstances  and  in- 
dividuals. They  are  less  apt  to  deceive  their  own  people 
than  foreigners,  and  less  apt  to  deceive  others  than  those 
by  whom  they  are  employed.  The  desire  that  the  native 
preacher  may  prove  a true  man  biases  the  judgment. 
Doubtless  the  man  employed  is  often  self-deceived.  I 
have  had  a considerable  number  of  intelligent,  and  to 
all  appearances  sincere  Christians,  connected  with  my 
stations,  who  fell  back  and  left  the  Church  when  they 
found  they  were  not  to  be  employed.  These  and  a still 
larger  number  of  enquirers,  who  learned  during  the  time 
of  their  probation  that  there,  was  very  little  hope  of 
getting  place  and  pay,  and  fell  back  before  they  were 
baptized,  would  in  all  probability,  if  their  desire  for 
employment  had  been  gratified,  be  found  to-day  in  the 
church,  sustaining  perhaps  a fair  reputation  as  preachers 
or  evangelists.  What  lesson  are  we  to  learn  from  these 
facts  and  experiences  ? Is  it  not  this,  that  so  long  as  a 
free  use  is  made  of  new  converts  as  paid  preachers,  we 
deprive  ourselves  of  one  of  the  most  effective  means  of 
separating  the  chaff  from  the  wheat,  and  of  assuring  our- 
selves that  the  men  we  are  employing  are  what  we  hope 
fh^afej  and  that  we  are  not  building,  or  vainly  at- 
tempting to  build,  on  a bad  foundation, 

IV. — The  Employment-system  tends  to  excite  a mercenary 
spirit,  and  to  increase  the  number  of  mercenary  Christians. 

Of  course  we  fully  admit  that  many  paid  agents  are 
sincere  earnest  men,  and  that  they  bring  into  the  Church 
sincere  and  earnest  believers,  some  perhaps  who  would 
not  otherwise  be  reached.  We  are  here  simply  pointing 
out  an  evil  influence  and  tendency  which  is  connected 
with  one  system,  and  is  avoided  by  the  other.  A man 
will  sometimes  be  found  who  will  listen  to  a native 


©I)jcction0  to  tbe  /iRctbob 


13 


preacher,  apparently  much  interested,  but  knowing  and 
caring  very  little  about  what  is  said.  When  he  finds  an 
opportunity,  he  obtains  from  the  preacher,  directly  or 
indirectly,  a knowledge  of  what  pay  he  gets,  and  how 
he  obtained  his  position.  This  man  perhaps  becomes  a 
diligent  student  of  the  Scriptures,  and  passes  an  excel- 
leht  examination  as  a candidate  for  baptism ; but  he  is 
interested  in  Christianity  only  as  a means  to  an  end. 
When  this  mercenary  spirit  enters  a Church,  it  has  a 
wonderful  self-propagating  power,  and  follows  the  uni- 
versal law  of  propagating  after  its  kind.  The  mercenary 
preacher  whether  paid,  or  hoping  to  be  paid,  as  natur- 
ally draws  to  himself  others  of  like  affinities,  as  a magnet 
attracts  iron  filings. 

^ In  one  of  the  districts  of  this  province  there  seemed 
a few  years  since  to  be  an  unusual  religious  awakening. 
The  interest  spread  from  town  to  town  ; the  number  of 
enquirers  was  large ; and  hundreds  of  apparently  sincere 
believers  were  gathered  into  the  Church.  It  was  after- 
wards found  that  the  movement  was  due  largely  to  mer- 
cenary motives  of  different  kinds,  both  in  the  propagating 
agents,  and  in  those  who  were  influenced  by  them.  That 
district  now  seems  to  be  struck  with  a blight.  The 
larger  part  of  those  who  were  received,  are  now  excom- 
municated or  under  discipline ; a very  unfavorable  im- 
pression has  been  made  upon  the  people  generally ; and 
persons  sincerely  interested  in  the  truth  are  kept  back 
from  seeking  a connection  with  the  Church  by  the 
unworthy  examples  of  its  members.  In  this  district, 
Shiukwang,  there  is  little  hope  of  anything  being  accom- 
plished until  after  the  pruning  process  has  been  carried 
still  farther,  and  we  can  make  a new  and  better  begin- 
ning. It  is  much  easier  to  get  unworthy  members  into 
the  Church  than  it  is  to  get  them  out  of  it ; and  very 
little  good  can  be  accomplished  while  they- hang  upon  it 
as_an  incubus. 

V.— The  Employment-system  tends  to  stop  the  voluntary 
work  of  unpaid  agents. 

The  question  naturally  arises  in  the  mind  of  the  new 


14 


/lRetbo&0  of  /iRlaelon  'CClorft 


convert,  “If  other  persons  are  paid  for  preaching  why 
should  not  I be?”  Under  the  influence  of  jealousy  and 
discontent  it  is  easy  to  go  a step  farther  and  say,  “ If 
the  missionary  is  so  blind  or  so  unjust  as  not  to  see  or 
acknowledge  my  claims  to  be  employed  as  others  are,  I 
will  leave  the  work  of  spreading  Christianity  to  those 
who  are  paid  for  it.”  This  again  is  not  an  imaginary 
case  but  a common  experience.  It  is  evident  that  the 
two  systems  are  mutually  antagonistic,  and  whenever  an 
attempt  is  made  to  carry  them  on  together,  the  voluntary 
system  labors  under  almost  insurmountable  difficulties. 
This  is  a serious  objection  to  the  old  system,  that  it  stands 
in  the  way  of  the  other,  and  makes  the  success  of  it  well 
nigh  impossible. 

VI.— The  Old  System  tends  to  lower  the  character  and 
lessen  the  influence  of  the  missionary  enterprise,  both  in  the 
eyes  of  foreigners  and  natives. 

The  opprobrious  epithet,  “ Rice  Christians,”  has  gain- 
ed almost  universal  currency  in  the  East,  as  expressive  of 
the  foreigners’  estimate  of  the' actual  results  of  missionary 
work.  This  unfavorable  judgment,  formed  by  those  who 
are  supposed,  as  eye  witnesses,  to  have  good  grounds  for 
it,  finds  its  way  to  Christian  nations  in  the  west,  who 
support  missions,  and  prejudices  the  missionary  cause  in 
the  opinion  of  those  who  would  otherwise  be  its  sympa- 
thetic supporters.  It  is  a serious  question  how  far  mis- 
sionaries are  to  blame  for  this.  While  we  resent  as  false 
the  sweeping  generalization  which  would  include  all 
Christians  in  China,  or  the  larger  part  of  them  in  this 
category,  it  is  worse  than  useless  to  ignore  the  readiness 
of  large  classes  of  Chinamen  to  become  “Rice  Chris- 
tians,” and  the  difficulty  of  determining  who  do,  and 
who  do  not,  belong  to  this  class.  We  must  alsp_adniit 
the  fact,  that  not  a few  of  those  who  have  found  thdr 
way  into  the  Church  have  proved,  after  years  of  trial,  to 
be  only  “Rice  Christians.”  The  idea  of  getting  rid  of 
such  altogether,  is  undoubtedly  a fallacious  one.  They 
have  been  connected  with  the  Church,  and  probably  will 


15 


©bjcctione  to  tbe  ®lb  /iBctbob 


be,  in  all  lands  and  in  every  age.  Still,  as  this  reproach 
has  resulted  largely  from  the  fact  that  hitherto  a consid- 
erable proportion  of  native  Christians  have  eaten  the 
missionary’s  rice,”  one  effective  way  for  removing  the 
reproach  is  obvious. 

The  injurious  effects  of  the  Paid  Agent  system  on  the 
mass  of  the  Chinese  population  outside  of  the  Church, 
are  perhaps  still  greater.  The  general  opinion  of  the 
Chinaman,  as  to,  the  motive  of  one  of  his  countrymen 
TiT]5ropagafj^  a foreign  religToifTisTirat  it  is  a mercenary 
one.  he  learns  that  the  native  preacher  is  in  fact 

paid  by  foreigners,  he  is  confirmed  in  his  judgment. 
What  the  motive  is  which  actuates  the  foreign  missionary  ^ 
a motive  so  strong  that  he  is  willing  to  waste  life  and 
money  in  what  seems  a fruitless  enterprise,  he  is  left  to 
imagine.  The  most  common  explanation  generally  ex- 
pressed by  the  sentence  mai  fuh  min  sin,  is  that  it  is  a 
covert  scheme  for  buying  adherents  with  a view  to  poli- 
tical movements  inimical  to  the  state.  Of  course  it  is 
supposed  that  no  loyal  native  will  have  anything  to  do 
with  such  a movement.  Tf  the  Chinaman  is  told  that 
this  enterprise  is  prompted  by  disinterested  motives,  and 
intended  for  the  good  of  his  people,  he  is  incredulous. 
Simple  professions  and  protestations  have  little  weight 
with  him,  in  comparison  with  his  own  interpretation  of 
facts.  Observing  that  in  some  of  our  stations  only  those 
who  are  employed  and  paid,  remain  firm  in  their  adher- 
ence to  the  foreigner,  while  not  a few  of  the  others  fall 
back,  his  opinion  is  still  further  confirmed ; and  he  looks 
on  with  quiet  complacency,  and  rallies  his  unsuccessful 
neighbors  on  their  having  fallen  behind  their  competitors 
in  their  scramble  for  money.  Here  again  I am  not  im- 
agining what  may  happen  in  the  future,  but  am  stating 
what  has  actually  occurred.  The  result  is  that  many  well 
disposed  Chinamen  of  the  better  classes,  who  might  be 
brought  under  Christian  influences,  are  repelled,  and 
those  who  actually  find  their  way  into  the  Church,  are 
composed  largely  of  two  opposite  classes,  those  whose 
honest  convictions  are  so  strong  that  they  outweigh  and 


i6 


/HbetboD0  of  /iRiesion  Morb 


overcome  all  obstacles,  and  unworthy  persons,  to  whom 
that  feature  in  mission  work  which  we  are  controverting 
is  its  chief  attraction. 

Now  we  readtly  admit  that  whatever  course  we  may 
take,  the  Chinese  in  general  will  still  regard  us  as  foreign 
emissaries,  our  religion  as  a feint,  and  our  converts  as 
mercenaries.  What  we  depreciate  is,  gratuitously  furn- 
ishing what  will  be  regarded  as  conclusive  evidence  that 
these  unfavorable  opinions  are  well  founded.  Our  ene- 
mies are  sufficiently  formidable,  without  our  giving  them 
an  unnecessary  advantage.  The  obstacles  which  oppose 
us  are  sufficiently  appalling  without  our  adding  to  them, 
and  in  this  way  postponing  the  time  of  final  success. 

The  above  are  some  of  the  principle  objections  which 
may  be  urged  against  the  Paid  Agent  scheme.  We  will 
consider  in  the  following  papers  what  we  regard  as  a 
better  and  more  Scriptural  way. 


Chapter  IMfH, 


HOW  SHALL  WE  DEAL  WITH  NEW  CONVERTS? 

The  reception  of  first  converts  in  any  mission  is  an 
epoch  fruitful  of  consequences  for  good  or  evil.  The 
course  pursued  at  this  time  will  establish  precedents,  and 
in  a great  measure  fix  the  policy  and  determine  the 
character  of  the  Church  of  the  future.  How  then  shall 
these  first  converts  be  dealt  with?  To  this  weighty 
question  the  Scriptures  furnish  us  some  ready  answers. 

I.— “ Let  every  man  abide  in  the  same  calling  wherein  he 
was  called.”  i Cor.  7:  20. 

This  command  is  repeated  in  a different  form  in  the 
42d  verse  of  the  same  chapter.  “ Brethren  let  every  man 
wherein  he  is  called  therein  abide  with  God.”  This 
Apostolic  injunction  we  are  further  told  was  ordained 
“ for  all  the  Churches.  ” It  teaches  most  emphatically 
that  Christianity  should  not  disturb  the  social  relations 
of  its  adherents ; but  requires  them  to  be  content  with 
their  lot,  and  to  illustrate  the  Gospel  in  the  spl^res  of 
life  in  which  they  are  called.  How  many  of  us  have 
given  these  passages  of  Scripture  that  weight  of  authority 
which  they  deserve?  How  many  of  us  have  realized 
that  in  taking  untried  Christians  out  of  the  positions  in 
which  God  has  called  them,  and  making  evangelists  .of 
them,  we  may  be  literally,  though  unconsciously,  oppos- 
ing a divine  purpose.  Such  a course  directly  tends  to 
unsettle  the  minds  of  new  converts,  and  excites  the  very, 
feelings  of  restlessness  and  discontent  which  this  com- 
mand seems  specially  designed  to  prevent. 


i8 


/iRetbo&g  of  /lRl60ion  TKIlorft 


It  may  be  objected  that  the  literal  carrying  out  of  this 
injunction  would  prevent  missionaries  ev.er  employing 
any  native  assistants,  and  would  in  fact  have  prevented 
our  coming  to  China,  or  entering  the  ministry.  This 
objection  so  far  as  it  has  any  weight  lies  against  the 
Scripture  itself.  - It  may  be  remarked  however  that  all 
Scripture  commands  are  limited  and  conditioned  by 
other  Scripture  teachings,  and  are  to  be  interpreted  by 
them.  This  passage  does  not  determine  whether  a man 
is  to  abide  where  he  is  called  permanently  or  only  tem- 
porarily. This  is  a question  to  be  left  to  the  future. 
Special  providences  afterwards  may  indicate  a further 
and  different  divine  purpose  no  less  clearly.  So  Paul 
did  not  hesitate,  when  the  proper  time  had  come,  to  re- 
move Timothy  from-  Lystra,  and  there  was  no  inconsis- 
tency in  his  doing  so. 

As  for  ourselves,  we  entered  the  ministry  because  we 
believed  we  had  a divine  call  to  it ; and  the  Church  has 
sent  us  to  China  because  it  concurred  in  this  opinion, 
and  considered  our  characters  sufficiently  tested  and 
proved  to  warrant  our  being  sent  forth  to  preach  the 
Gospel,  with  a reasonable  assurance  that  we  had  re- 
nounced worldly  aims  and  worldly  advantages  to  give 
our  lives  to  the  service  of  Christ.  All  we  insist  on  is 
that  the  same  principles,  and  the  same  prudence  should 
be  used  in  dealing  with  the  Chinese. 

In  determining  whether  this  command  to  let  every 
man  abide  in  his  calling  is  applicable  and  binding  at 
present,  it  is  undoubtedly  legitimate  to  enquire  whether 
there  may, not  be  special  reasons  in  this  present  time 
which  overrule  and  annul  it.  I can  think  of  none  except 
such  as  we  may  regard  as  growing  out  of  our  special 
circumstances.  For  instance,  we  may  have  been  pray- 
ing for  laborers  for  the  “great  harvest,”  or  more  speci- 
fically that  God  would  give  us  a native  agent  to  occupy 

an  important  station  at , and  we  say:  “Is 

not  this  the  man  God  has  sent  for  this  very  object?  ” 
’We  should  not  forget  however  that  when  this  injunction 
was  given,  there  was  as  great  need  of  workers,  and  as 


1bow  Shall  nme  Beal  with  IRcw  Converts?  19 


many  important  places  were  waiting  to  be  occupied,  as 
now. 

The  object  we  all  have  in  view  is  of  course  to  secure 
the  greatest  usefulness  of  the  convert,  and  the  greatest 
good  to  the  common  cause.  Now  if  the  young  Chris- 
tian seems  to  have  qualifications  for-  making  a good 
evangelist,  is  he  not  just  the  man  wanted  to  develop  the 
. work  where  he  is?  And  will  not  further  experience  at 
home  fit  him  all  the  better  for  doing  other  work  to  which 
he  may  be  called  in  the  future,  when  perhaps  he  may  be 
spared  from  his  station  without  its  suffering  in  conse- 
quence? God’s  designs  with  reference  to  this  man  are 
wiser  than  ours.  Let  us  wait  for  those  designs  to  develop 
as  they  surely  will,  and  follow  carefully  as  we  are  led. 

Other  passages  of  Scripture  place  our  duty  in  this 
^^matter  in  a still  clearer  light.  Not  a novice,  lest  being 
^difted  up  with  pride  he  fall  into  the  condemnation  of  the 
devil.”  By  one  rash  and  unauthorized  step  we  may  in- 
flict an  irreparable  injury  on  the  person  in  whom  we  are 
so  much  interested,  and  destroy  all  hopes  of  his  future 
usefulness.  Again,j^^*Be  not  many  masters  (teachers) 
knowing  that  we  shall  rec^ve  the  greater  condemna- 
tion.” This  is  a warning  to  would-be  teachers,  and 
may  be  applied  with  equal  force  to  those  who  would 
gratuitously  assume  the  responsibility  of  recommending 
and  employing,  teachers,  without*  sufficient  Scriptural 
grounds  for  doing  so.  Again  we  are  taught:  “Lay 
hands  suddenly  on  no  man,  neither  be  partakers,  of 
other  men’s  sins ; ’keep  thyself  pure.”  The  pertinency 
of  these  passages  is  too  obvious  to  require  lengthened 
remarks. 


II. — The  Importance  of  Precedents. 

The  Chinese  are  remarkable  for  their  tendency  to  fol- 
low a fixed  routine,  and  to  be  governed  by  precedents. 
K the  first  convert  is  soon  employed,  those  .who  follow 
will  ^xp^t  to.  be,  also,  If  the  first  station  is  supplied 
with  a chapel,  succeeding  ones  will  require  the  same, 
and  so  on  indefinitely.  As  a matter  of  precedent,  the 


20 


/IRetboC>s  ot  /K>i66lon  'HClorft 


question  as  to  whether  the  Gospel  shall  be  first  intro- 
duced by  the  instrumentality  of  paid  or  unpaid  agents, 
is  of  such  importance  as  to  deserve  very  careful  atten- 
tion. Here  again  we  get  light  from  Scripture.  Nothing 
* is  more  strikingly  characteristic  of  the  Missionary  Meth- 
ods^bf  tbe  Apostle  Paul  than  his  purpose  to  preach  the 
Gospel  freely  or  “without  charge.”  He  gives  us  very 
. v'Q'clearlyliis  reason  for  doing  this.  “ For  yourselves  know 
how  ye  ought  to  follow  us ; for  we  behaved  not  ourselves 
disorderly  among  you ; neither  did  we  eat  any  man’s 
bread  for  naught;  but  wrought  with  labor  and  travail 
night  and  day,  that  we  might  not  be  chargeable  to  any 
of  you : not  because  we  have  not  power,  but  to  make 
ourselves  an  ensample  unto  you  to  follow  us.  For  even 
when  we  were  with  you,  this  we  commanded  you,  that 
if  any  would  not  work,  neither  should  he  eat.  For  we 
hear  that  there  are  some  which  walk  among  you  disor- 
derly, working  not  at  all  but  are  busybodies.  Now  them 
that  are  such  we  command  and  exhort  by  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  that  with  quijtness  they  work  and  eat  their  own 
bread.”  'S  ^THe^  There  were  in  Thessalortica 

and  other^Taces~mTjr^e,  as  there  are  now  in  China, 
idlers,  busybodies  or  disorderly  persons,  who  would  fain 
live  without  work.  From  such  persons  Paul  apprehended 
great  danger  to  the  infant  Church ; and  he  not  only  de- 
nounced them  in  unsparing  terms,  but  determined  by 
his  own  example  to  furnish  a precedent  which  would 
have  more  weight  in  establishing  a fixed  usage  in  the 
Church  than  anything  he  could  say.  ‘In  addressing  the 
Ephesian  eljlers  he  gives  the  same  reason  for  the  course 
adopted.  “Yea,  ye  yourselves  know,  that  these  hands 
have  ministered  unto  my  necessities,  and  to  them  that 
were  with  me.  I have  showed  you  all  things,  how  that 
so  laboring  ye  ought  to  support  the  weak,  and  to  remem- 
ber the  words  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  how  he  said,  It  is  more 
blessed  to  give  than  to  receive.”’  Acts_2o:  34i_35- 
The  Apostle  in  the  pth  chapter  of  ist  Corinthians  lays 
down  the  general  rule  that,  as  a matter  of  right,  the 
teacher  should  depend  for  his  temporal  support  on  the 


1bow  Shall  “HXIle  Deal  with  IFlew  Converte?  21 


taught ; still  in  first  introducing  the  Gospel  to  a heathen 
people,  he  felt  it  his  duty  to  waive  this  privilege.  The 
example  which  he  set  was  that  of  a preacher  not  having 
his  influence  curtailed  by  the  suspicion  that  he  is  laboring 
for  pay.  While  the  Church  at  home  has  decided  that  in 
lands  where  Christian  institutions  are  established  the 
pastor  should  depend  for  his  support  on  his  flock,  and 
abstain  from  secular  employments,  1 believe  it  is  best,  at 
least  in  the  first  stage  of  mission  work,  for  the  native 
evangelist  to  follow  Paul’s  example.  Take  a man  labor- 
ing  on  the  plane  of  his  ordinary  life  as  an  earnest  Chris- 
tian and  make  him  a paid  laborer,  and  you  deprive  him 
of  half  his  influence.  It  may  be  said  that  by  paying  him 
you  enable  him  to  give  all  his  time  to  evangelistic  work. 
Still  it  is  a fair  question,  (we  are  now  speaking  of  new 
converts,)  whether  a man  will  accomplish  more  for  good 
in  the  end  by  preaching,  or  by  simply  living  Christianity. 
The  examples  that  we  want  are  those  of  men  illustrating 
Christianity  during  six  days  of  secular  work,  as  well  as 
by  one  day  of  Sabbath  observance.  Such  men  and  such 
women  present  Christianity  in  the  concrete.  They  are 
“ cities  set  on  a hill  ” — “ epistles  known  and  read  of  all 
men.”  When  stations  multiply  after  this  type  they 
strike  root  into  the  soil.  There  is  life»and  aggressive- 
ness in  them. 

Some_will ^icabably  ask— ^CWliy_da.jnot  missionaries 
themselves  work  with  their  own  hands,  and  set  the  same  ex- 
ampl^ thaTPaul  did  ? ” If  circumstances  were  the  same, 
and  the  course  chosen  by  the  Apostle  were  now  practi- 
cable, and  would  secure  the  same  end  that  it  did  in  his 
case,  it  ought  to  be  adopted,  and  I believe  missionaries 
would  adopt  it  gladly.  The  reason  why  we  do  not  is, 
that  doing  so  in  our  case  would  defeat  the  object  aimed 
at.  Our  circumstances  as  foreign  missionaries  in  China 
are  different  from  those  of  the  Apostle  Paul  in  almost 
every  particular.  H e was  a Roman  citizen  in  the  Ro- 
man empire.  He  labored  in  his  native  climate ; was 
master  of  Greek  and  Hebrew,  the  two  languages  required 
foTprosecuting  his  work ; and  his  physical  and  intellec- 


22 


/IRctboDs  of  /Iblssion  llClorft 


# 

tual  training  had  been  the  same  as  those  with  whom  and 
'fbr'  whom  he  labored.  We,  in  coming  to  China,  are 
obliged  from  the  first  to  undertake  the  work  of  acquiring 
a spoken  and  a wTitten  language,  both  very  difficult, 
taxing  mind  and  body  to  the  utmost,  and  demanding  all 
our  time  and  energies.  We  have  to  submit  to  the  dis- 
advantage and  drudgery  of  learning  in  comparatively 
advanced  life,  (so  far  as  we  are  able  to  do  it,)  what  the 
Chinaman  learns,  and  what  Paul  learned,  in  childhood 
and  early  manhood.  Besides,  for  a foreigner  to  support 
. himself  in  China  in  competition  with  natives  in  any  de- 
partment of  manual  labor  is  manifestly  impracticable ; 
and  one  attempting  to  do  so  would  diminish  rather  than 
increase  his  influence.  Were  it  practicable  and  consis- 
tent with  duty,  how  many  of  us  who  have  a natural  taste 
for  mechanics,  or  agriculture,  or  business,  would  gladly 
spend  a portion  of  our  time  in  these  pursuits,  rather  than 
in  the  wearisome  work  of  the  study.  Is  it  not  obvious 
that  the  only  persons  who  can  furnish  in  China  the  much 
needeBTxample  of  propagating  Christianity  while  they 
laboCVrtli"  their  own  hands,  are  not  Europeans,  but 
natives  laboring  for  and  among  their  own  people? 

The  importance  of  trusting  at  first  mainly  to  voluntary 
unpaid  agency^  or  rather  to  the  influence  of  Christian 
men  and  women  remaining  in  their  original  callings, 
may  be  further  shown  by  other  considerations.  It  is  a 
prevalent  idea  in  China  that  diligent  and  successful 
attention  to  temporal  and  religious  matters  at  the  same 
time  is  impossible.  We  often  hear  the  remark  from 
Chinamen  ; “I  am  tijed-of  the  world  and  its  employ- 
nients,  and  should  like  to  enter  the  religion  ; ” the  true 
int^pi^ation  of  which  generally  is,  that  the  man  would 
like  to  avoid  work  and  live  on  the  “ Kiao-hwui.”  An- 
other says  ‘ ‘ Chnstianity  is  good. J^utT-musI  eariLa  living 
for  mv  fkmilyC*  Sometimes  this  is  a me£e_excuse)  and 
sometimes  it  expresses  aqiian’s  honest  conviction>.  that 
an  effort  to  lead  a Christian  life  will  interfere  with  his 
temporal  prospects.  Xbelieye  that  nothing  is  more  im- 
portant to  the  success  of  our  work  than  to  do  away  with 


1bow  Shall  We  Deal  with  Iftew  Converts?  23  ’ 


this  idea;  and  this  can  be  best  accomplished  by  living 
e^mpTes  showing  that  a man  may  be  a good  Christian 
ajid_a^Qod  famier  or  artisan  at  the  same  time;  or  in 
other  words,  that  “Godliness  is  profitable  unto  all 
tjiings^iiavmg  the  promise  of  the  life  that  now  is  and 
of  that  which  is  to  come.”  Even  voluntary  and  unpaid 
preaching  is  not  to  be  compared  for  wholesome  influence 
^to  earnest,  consistent,  Christian  lives.  The  secret  of 
the  world’s  evangelization  is  to  be  found  in  the  words 
of  our  Saviour;  “Let  your  light  so  shine  before  men 
that  they  seeing  your  good  works,  may  glorify  your 
Father  which  is  in  heaven.”  During  the  last  few  years 
I have  often  found  it  necessary  to  exhort  and  remonstrate 
with  some  of  my  people  in  such  language  as  the  follow- 
ing  : “ Though  it  is  commendable  for  you  to  visit  your 
friends  and  acquaintances,  and  to  talk  to  them  about 
Christianity  when  you  have  time  to  do  so^  you  must  not 
neglect  Jour  business.  Your  usefulness  as  a Christian, 
the  reb'gious  inferests  of  your  station,  and  the  spread  of 
the  Gospel  in  the  neighborhood,  depend  laj;ge^on  your 
success  and  prosperity  in  temporal  matters.  If  you  neg- 
lect your  business,  and  run  in  debt,  and  are  obliged  to 
sell  one  acre  of  land  this  year  and  two  the  next,  you 
will  be  a warning  to  all  your  neighbors,  and  they  will 
point  to  you  and  say, — ‘ Beware  of  the  Christian  religion  ; 

our  friend — entered  it  and  in  a few  years  he  and 

his  family  were  brought  to  want.’  If  this  is  the  outcome 
of  your  life  in  temporal  things, all  your  preaching  to  your 
neighbors  will  do  little-good.  ’ ’ 

‘Some  will  say  that  depending  largely  upon  the  volun- 
tary and  unpaid  labor  of  native  Christians  for  the  j5rop- 
agation  of  the  Gospel  is  pre-supposing  a larger  amount 
of  zeal  and  devotion  on  their  part  than  is  found  among 
Christians  at  home.  If  this  is  true,  so  much  the  worse 
for  Christians  at  home.  I believe  the  contrary  however. 
There  is  a great  army  of  active  workers  at  home,  as  well 
as  idlers.  As  to  young  converts  in  our  country  stations, 
it  is  a fact  that  they  are  willing  to  do  this  work,  and  able 
to  do  it,  and  still  further  that  they  do  it.  In  the  early 


24  /BbetboD6  of  /lfti66ion  Morb 


history  of  the  Church,  as  recorded  in  the  Acts  of  the 
Apostles,  Christiantfy~ spf^d  chiefly  through  the  volun- 
tary zeal  of  ordinary  ch  mernbers,  and  the  wor^  of 
the  Apostles  consisted  mainly  in  superintending  and 
'organizing  the  companies  .of  Christians  thus  gatheied. 
Their  zeal  was  so  great  that  persecution  could  not  re- 
press, but  only  intensified  it.  If  there  is  not  that  zeal  and 
effort  in  the  Church  at  home  it  is  much  to  be  deplored. 
Perhaps  the  want  of  it  is  due  in  a great  measure  to  a 
growing  habit  of  leaving  work  for  Christ  to  be  done  by 
those  who  are  paid  for  it.  Where  such  an  idea  prevails, 
whether  at  home  or  on  missionary  ground,  it  tends  to 
paralyze  the  power  of  the  Church  for  good. 

It  may  be  objected  further  that  this  aggressive  zeal  to 
which  I have  referred  is  due  largely  to  the  expectation 
of  being  employed;  and  that  for  this  reason  it  is  not  to 
be  relied  upon,  since  it  will  decline  as  the  hope  of  em- 
ployment diminishes.  There  is  no  doubt  much  truth  in 
this.  Shall  we  then  knowingly  and  deliberately  pander 
to  this  mercenary  spirit,  and  by  continuing  to  employ 
new  converts  increase  and  perpetuate  an  evil  which  we 
deplore ; or  shall  we  not  rather  by  refraining  from  em- 
ploying them  put  a stop  to  the  evil  as  soon  as  possible  ? 
While,  however,  without  doubt  some  of  these  voluntary 
laborers  are  working  with  selfish  aims,  I believe  there 
are  others  who  work  from  higher  and  worthier  motives. 
Let  us  depend  on  these,  and  we  shall  not  be  disappointed. 
No,t -giving  pecuniary  employment  to  new  converts  will 
probably  retard  ourjyork  'for  a time,  at  least  so  far  as 
nunibers  adhefehts.is_c  but  it  will  promote 

the  work  in  the  end. 

Ml.— We  may  get  help  in  learning  how  to  deal  with  new 
converts  and  stations  by  considering  the  nature  of  the  Church 
and  the  law  of  its  development. 

Christianity,  whether  embodied  in  the  individual  or 
in  a Church,  is  the  outgrowth  of  a vital  principle.  In 
the  spiritual  as  well  as  vegetable  kingdom  every  vital 
germ  has  its  own  law  of  life  and  development,  and  it  is 


1bow  Shall  tune  Bcal  wltb  IRew  Converts  1 - 25 


only  by  following  that  law  that  the  highest  development 
can  be  secured.  Christianity  has  been  introduced  into 
the  world,  as  a plant  which  will  thrive  best  confronting 
and  contending  with  all  the  forces  of  its  environment ; 
not  as  a feeble  exotic  which  can  only  live  when  nursed 
and  sheltered.  All  unnecessary  nursing  will  do  it  harm. 
A pine  may  be  trained  into  a beautiful  an3~7antastic 
shape,  so  as  to  be  an  object  of  interest  and  curiosity, 
and  may  flourish  in  a way ; but  it  will  not  tower  heaven- 
ward as  the  king  of  the  forest,-  unless  from  first  to  last  it 
is  subjected  to  the  various  and  seemingly  adverse  influ- 
ences of  scorching  sun,  biting  frost,  and  raging  tempest. 
A certain  amount  of  care,  and  especially  the  right  kind, 
is  necessary : too  much  or  injudicious  care  is  injurious, 
and  may  be  fatal  to  the  life  which  it  is  intended  to 
promote. 

IV. — Young  converts  should  be  proved,  before  they  are  em- 
ployed and  advanced  to  responsible  public  positions. 

It  is  said  of  deafcons  in  the  ,,^rd_-chapter  of  Timothy, 

Let  them  also  be  proved.”  The  also  refers  no  doubt 
to  the  previous  qualifications  required  in  bishops.  These 
varied  qualifications  include  knowledge,  e^Tperfence,  sell- 
culture  spiritual  growth,  and  discTpline ; all  combining 
together  to  form  a stable  and  reliable  basis  of  character. 
If  deacons  and  bishops  must  first  be  proved,  is  there  not 
the  same  necessity  for  proving  preachers  and  evangelists? 
There  are  laws  in  civilized  countries  requiring  that  in 
testing  an  anchor-chain  or  a wire  cable  it  shall  be  sub- 
jected to  a strain  greater  than  will  be  required  in  after 
use  before  precious  treasure  and  more  precious  lives  are 
trusted  to  it.  Ordinary  prudence,*aside  from.  Scripture 
command,  would  dictate  the  still  greater  necessity  of 
testing  the  character  of  a man  who  is  to  be  used  in 
matters  affecting  the  temporal  and  spiritual  interests, 
immediately  and  prospectively,  of  perhaps  thousands. 
In  the  zeal  and  glow  of  first  converts  they  are  apt,  and 
that  unwittingly,  to  deceive  not  only  us  but  themselves. 
By  all  means  let  them  be  proved.  How  can  this  be  done 


26 


^ctbo&6  Of  /lRi60fon  'HXIlorft 


without  leaving  them  to  meet  the  difficulties  and  trials 
incident  to  the  condition  in  which  they  are  found,  and 
that  for  a considerable  length  of  time  ? We  have  further 
authoritative  teaching  from  our  Saviour  himself  on  this 
point,  especially  designed  to  guard  against  the  dangers 
resulting  from  the  influeirce  of  false  teachers.  “ By  their 
fruits  ye  shall  know  them.”  The  outward  appearance 
of  a tree  may  give  promise  of  its  being  everything  we 
could  desire ; but  we  cannot  be  sure  of  its  character  untjl 
it  bears  fruit ; for  this  we  may  have  to  wait  for  years,  and 
even  then  find  ourselves  disappointed. 

V. — Young  converts  before  they  are  advanced  to  positions 
of  prominence  and  responsibility,  should  also  be  trained. 

The  processes  of  proving  and  training,  though  quite 
different  and  distinct,  are  carried  on  simultaneously,  and 
largel;^y  the  sanf^_  meajis.  This  training  mcludes  not 
only  ^tqdy>T)ut  <^rl^ rial,  and  perhaps  buffering.  It 
should  be  such  as  will  fit  a man  to  endure  hardness  as  a 
good  soldier  of  Jesus  Christ.  A man  may  be  carried 
through  a course  of  Jjiealogical  training,  freed  from  the 
strugg^lei)f  ordinary  life  by  having  all  his  wants  provided 
for,  and  yet  get  very  little  of  this  disciplinary  training 
which  is  so  important.  We  may  think  we  are  helping  a 
man  by  relieving  him  of  burdens,  when  we  are  in  fact 
injuring  him  by  interfering  with  this  training.  Here 
I again  the  element  of  time  is  a necessity.  We  are  so  apt 
ko  be  in  haste ; — to  spur  ourselves  on  to  premature  and 
fruitless  Tflfort  by  the  consideration  of  how  many  souls 
■ are  jperishing  while  we  are  delaying.  After  the  Apostle 
^ Pauljwas  chosen  and  called,  he  was  kept  waiting  nearjj 
before  he  was  commanded  to.entey  upon  his 
• special  life  work.  Who  will  say  that  those  ten  years  were 
not  as  important  as  any  other  period  of  his  life,  or  that 
his  after  usefulness  did  not  depend  on  them?  Timothy, 
also,  by  years  of  active  and  successful  labor  at  home, 
obtained  a good  report  of  the  brethren  in  Lystra  and 
Derbe,  after  which  he  accompanied  Paul  as  a helper; 
and  when  many  years  of  proving  and  training  were 


1bow  ©ball  Wic  Beal  with  1Rcw  Converts!  27 


passed,  he  became  Paul’s  co-laborer  and  successor  in  the 
work  of  evangelization  and  the  founding  of  churches. 

If  it  be  further  asked  what  then  is  the  best  way  to 
train  men  for  usefulness  in  the  Church,  I know  of  no 
better  answer,  at  least  for  the  first  stage  of  preparation, 
than  to  repeat  the  Scripture  injunction,  “J^^yery  nrian 
abide  in  the  calling  wherein  he  was  called.”  Nothing 
else  can  supply  the  place  of  God’s  providential  training 
in  the  school  of  ordinary  life  and  practical  experience. 

If  God  who  has  called  a man  to  the  fellowship  of  his 
Church,  has  also  called  him  to  the  work  of  the  ministry. 
He  will  manifest  His  purpose  in  His  own  time  and  way. 
Meanwhile  we  should  give  these  young  cgnverts  all  the 
instruction,  advice,  and  help,  which  Christian  sympathy 
and  prudence  suggest. 

VI.— We  should  with  faith  and  confidence  commit  young  con- 
verts “to  the  Lord  on  whom  they  believed.” 

This  was  the  course  unhesitatingly  adopted  by  the 
Apostle  Paul ; and  I know  of  no  reason  why  we  should 
not  follow  his  example.  Our  Saviour  has  promised  to 
be  always  with  His  people  unto  the  end  of  the  world  ; 
and  to  send  the  blessed  Spirit  of  all  grace  to  abide  with 
them  forever.  He  will  give  them  by  conferring* special 
graces  of  His  Spirit,  “prophets,  teachers,  exhorters, 
helps,  and  governments,”  as  they  are  required.  Paul 
on  his  departure  from  places  where  he  had  made  converts, 
often  left  Timothy  or  Silas  or  others  to  spend  days  or 
weeks  iiT instructing,  exhorting,  and  comforting  them ; 
and  also  senttspecial  messengers  to  individual  churches 
to  correct  abuses  and  furnish  help  as  occasion  required  ; 
but  we  read  in  the  Acts  of  the  Apostles  of  no  case  in 
which  he  left  any  one  to  stay  with  them  as  their  resident  • 
minister.  I believe  that  in  failing  to  follow  this  Apos- 
tolic example  we  have  often  checked  the  development 
of  individual  gifts,  and  self-reliance,  and  aggressive 
power  in  our  Churches;  making  them  weak,  inefficient 
and  dependent  from  the  first. 

, In  the  meantime  in  view  of  the  great  need  of  evan- 


28 


/lRetbo^s  of  /lftl66ion  Morft 


gelists  to  enter  open  fields  not  yet  reached,  and  of  pastors 
and  teachers  to  care  for  those  who  are  already  gathered 
into  the  fold,  let  us  heed  the  solemn  injunction  of  our 
Lord;  “ Pray  ye  the  Lord  of  the  harvest  that  He  will 
send  forth  lal3orers  into  His  harvest.” 


Chapter  1flD. 


ORIGIN  AND  GROWTH  OF  STATIONS  IN  CENTRAL  SHANTUNG: 

Preaching  tours  formed  a prominent  part  of  mission 
work  from  the  first  occupation  of  Shantung  by  Protestant 
missionaries  in  the  year  i860.  During  the  years  that 
immediately  followed,  the  whole  of  eastern  Shantung 
was  traversed  by  members  of  the  American  Baptist  and 
Presbyterian  Missions.  In  1866,  Rev.  C.  W.  Mateer 
and  Rev.  H.  Corbett  made  a tour  in  central  Shantung 
for  the  purpose  chiefly  of  distributing  and  selling^books. 
This  was  -the  first  visit  paid  to  Chbng-chow  fu  and 
vicinity  by  Protestant  missionaries.  It  was  afterwards 
visited  repeatedly  by  Dr.  Williamson  and  other  members 
of  the  U.  P.  Mission  of  Scotland,  and  Rev.  J.  MacIntyre, 
a member  of  that  mission,  resided  two  years  in  Wei 
Hien,  the  chief  city  of  the  adjacent  district  on  the  east. 
It  was  also  visited  from  time  to  time  by  different  mem- 
bers of  the  American  Presbyterian  mission  ; and  in  1874, 
and  1875,  included  in  my  regular  itinerating  tours, 
made  twice  a year. 

Pev.  'I'imothy  Richard  commenced  regular  work  in 
Ch‘ing-chow  fu  as  a resident  missionary  in  1875.  There 
wer6  then  in  that  region  only  two  converts,  and  these 
were  connected  with  Mr.  Corbett. 

Previous  to  the  work  of  Famine  Distribution  in  the 
spring  of  1877,  Mr.  Richard  had  gathered  about  him  a 
little  company  of  enquirers,  and  I had  also  a few  en- 
quirers in  the  district  of  An-Ch‘iu,  about  forty-five  miles 
S,  E.  of  Chdng-chow  fu. 


30 


jfiftetboDs  ot /iftissfon  ‘HClorb 


In  the  spring  of  1877,  Richard  and  Rev.  Alfred 
G.  Jones  gave  all  their  time*  and  energies  to  the  work 
of  Famine  Relief.  I took  part  in  the  same  work  in 
Kao-yai,  a market  town  in  the  western  extremity  of 
An-chdu,  and  near  the  borders  of  the  two  other  Men 
Lin-ch‘u  and  Ch‘ang-loh,  and  continued  it  about  three 
months  until  the  *close  of  the  famine ; distributing  aid 
to  about  30,000  people,  from  more  than  300  villages. 

The  famine  relief  presented  us  to  the  people  in  a new 
and  favorable  light,  and  gave  a fresh  impulse  to  our 
work  of  evangelization.  The  establishment,  of  stations 
may  be  said  to  have  fairly  begun  after  the  famine, 
though  a spirit  of  enquiry  had  been  awakened  before. 
In  the  spring,  of  1879,  Corbett  again  visited  this 
region,  and  from  this  time  took  part  in  mission  work 
there. 

There  are  now  in  the  department  of  Chdng-chow  fu 
connected  with  the  English  Baptist  mission,  and  with 
Mr.  Corbett  and  myself  about  one  hundred  and  fifty 
stations,  and  near  3,500  converts,  about  i,ooo  of  them 
belonging  to  the  Baptist  Mission. 

On  the  main  points  of  mission  policy  we  are  happily 
nearly  of  one  mind.  All^these  stations  provide  their 
own  houses  of  worship ; none  of  them  are  cared  for  by 
a resident  paid  preacher ; but  in  each  of  them  one  or 
more  of  its  own  members  voluntarily  conducts  services 
on  Sunday,  and  attends  to  the  general  spiritual  interests 
of  the  little  company  of  believers  with  whom  he  is 
connected,  under  the  superintendence  of  the  foreign 
missionary  in  charge.  In  all  these  stations  great  prom- 
inence is  given  to  catechetical  teaching,  and  also  to 
affording  special  instruction  to  the  leaders,  with  a view 
to  their  teaching  others.  These  form  the  distinguishing 
features  of  our  work,  and  our  main,  points  of  agreement. 

Xhe  Baptist  stations  have  miiitiphed  chiefly  thro:^h 
the  voluntary  labors  of  unpaid  Christians;  and  radiate 
from  theGfentre~at  Ch‘ing-chow  hi.  Their  staff  of  Chi- 
nese laborers  now  consists  of  a native  pastor  who  is  a 
Nanking  man  baptized  more  than  twenty  years  ago',  and 


Stations  in  Central  Shantung  31 


four  evangelists  paid  by  the  mission,  and  two  elders 
paid  by  the  native  Christians. 

My  work  spread  from  the  centre  at  Kao-yai,  almost 
entirely,  so  far  as  natives  are  concerned,  through  the 
voluntary  labors  of  the  Chinese  Christians.  My  staff 
of  paid  laborers  at  present  consists  of  two  native 
helpers,  supported  hitherto  partly  by  the  natives  and 
partly  by  myself.  I have  from  the  first  used  a few 
others  occasionally. 

Mr.  Corbett  commenced  his  work  with  the  assistance 
of  church  members  from  older  stations.  He  has  used 
a much  larger  number  of  helpers,  and  his  stations  are 
more  disconnected,  being  found  in  different  districts  to 
which  his  preachers  and  evangelists  have  been  sent. 
His  staff  of  native  laborers  consists  of  about  twenty- 
two  paid  helpers,  and  twenty  teachers.  The  latter  re- 
ceive from  him  on  an~avera^^  about  fifteen  dollars  a 
year,  with  what  they  can  get  in  addition  from  the 
natives. 

With  these  general  statements  respecting  the  whole 
field,  I propose  to  give  a more  detailed  account  of  my 
own  stations  and  work,  with  which  1 am  naturally  more 
intimately  acquainted.  I presume,  however,  that  in  de- 
tailing my  own  experience  1 shall  be  giving  in  the  main 
that  also  of  my  brethren.  When  important  points  of 
difference  occur  they  will  be  spoken  of  in  loco. 

Mutual  Relations  of  the  Missionary,  Helpers  and  Leaders. 

The  characteristic  feature  of  our  stations  is  that  the 
principal  care  of  them  is  intrusted,  nof  to  paid  preachers 
set  over  them  and  resident  among  them,  but  to  leaders 
belonging  to  the  stations.  These  leaders  are  simply 
church  members  among  church  members,  pursuing  their 
daily  calling  as  before  conversion.  They  form  a very 
important  link  in  the  chain  of  influences  starting  from 
the  foreign  missionary.  Next  to  the  missionary  is  the 
native  helper,  who  is  generally  a well  instructed  Chris- 
tian of  some  years  experience.  He  is  under  the  control 
and  direction  of  the  missionary,  and  acts  for  him  in 


32 


/iftctbo^s  of  /lftl66ion  Morft 


supplementing  his  labors  and  carrying  out  his  instruc- 
tions. Next  to  the  helper  is  the  leader,  through  whom 
principally  the  helper  brings  his  influence  to  bear  on  the 
Christians  and  enquirers  generally. 

The  stations  are  organized  on  the  principle  that  all  its  mem- 
bers are  to  be  workers. 

It  is  our  aim  that  each  man,  woman,  and  child  shall 
be  both  a learner  from  some  one  more  advanced,  and  a 
teacher  of  sohie  one  less  advanced.  Theoretically,  the 
missionary  does  nothing  which  the  helper  can  do  for 
him  ; the  helper  does  nothing  which  the  leader  can  do  ; 
and  the  leader  does  nothing  which  he  can  devolve  upon 
those  under  him.  In  this  way  much  time  is  saved  ; the 
gifts  of  all  are  utilized  and  developed ; and  the  station 
as  an  organized  whole  grows  in  knowledge,  strength, 
and  efficiency.  The  leader  constantly  superintends, 
directs  and  examines  those  under  him ; the  helper 
directs  and  examines  the  leaders  and  their  stations ; 
and  the  missionary  in  charge  has  a general  supervision 
and  control  of  the  whole. 

- It  has  been  my  habit  to  visit  the  stations  regularly 
twice  a year ; to  examine  carefully  into  the  circum- 
stances of  each  one  of  them  ; and  the  progress  in  knowl- 
edge and  performance  of  Christian  duties  of  e'ach 
Christian  and  enquirer. 

One  of  my  helpers  has  the  charge  of  nearly  forty 
stations,  located  in  four  different  districts  or  hien,  which 
he  visits  regularly  once  every  two  months.  T'he  other 
helper  has  the  ch5.rge  of  about  ten  stations  and  devotes 
part -of  his  time  to  evangelistic  work  outside  of  them. 
A few  are  without  the  care  of  a native  helper,  and  are 
only  visited  by  the  foreign  missionary. 

The  forty  stations  under  one  helper  are  divided  into 
seven  geographical  groups'of  from  four  to  seven  stations 
each.  The  helper  visits  these  groups  in  regular  rotation, 
once  every  two  months  by  appointment,  spending  about 
a week  in  each.  On  Sunday  he  holds  a general  or  union 
service,  leaders  and  other  prominent  Church  members 


Stations  In  Central  Sbantunci 


33 


being  present.  The  object  aimed  at  is  to  make  this 
union  service  conducted  by  the  helper  the  model  for 
the  leaders  to  pattern  after  in  their  several  stations  dur- 
ing the  seven  or  eight  weeks  when  they  are  by  them- 
selves. Once  in  two  months  when  the  helper  is  absent, 
each  of  these  groups  has  a similar  union  service  con- 
ducted by  the  leaders,  exercises  and  persons  in  charge 
having  been  appointed  by  the  helper  in  advance. 

The  form  of  exercises  for  Sundays  both  morning  and 
afternoon,  consists  of  four  parts.  First,  a kind  of  in- 
formal Sufiday  School  in  which  every  person  present  is 
expected,  with  the  superintendence  of  the  leader  and 
those  under  him,  to  prosecute  his  individual  studies  ; 
whether  learning  the  Chinese  character  ; committing  to 
memory  passages  of  Scripture  ; telling  Scripture  stories ; 
or  studying  the  catechism  or  Scripture  question  books. 
Second,  we  have  the  more  fonnal  Service  of  worship, 
consisting  of  singing,  reading  of  the  Scriptures  with  a 
few  explanations  or  exhortations,  and  prayer;  the  whole 
occupying  not  more  than  three  quarters  of  an  hour. 
Third,  we  have  the  Scripture  Story  Exercise.  Some  one 
previously  appointed  tells  the  story ; the  leader  of  the 
meeting  then  calls  on  different  persons  one  after  another 
to  reproduce  it  in  consecutive  parts;  and  afterwards  all 
present  take  part  in  drawing  practical  lessons  and  duties 
from  it.  There  is  never  time  for  more  than  one  story, 
and  often  that  one  has  to  be  divided,  and  has  two  Sun- 
days given  to  it.  Fourth,  if  there  is  time  a Catechetical 
Exercise  follows  in  which  all  unite,  .designed  to  bring 
out  more  clearly  the  meaning  of  what  they  have  already 
learned — as  the  Lord’s  prayer,  the  Ten  Commandments, 
select  passages  of  Scripture,  some  book  of  Scripture, 
or  some  special  subject  such  as  the  duty  of  benevo- 
lence, &c. 

This  general  order  of  exercises  is  modified  or  varied 
when  the  circumstances  of  a station  make  it  advisable 
that  it  should  be. 

Leaders  are  sometimes  formally  selected  by  their  sta- 
tions. More  generally,  however,  they  find  themselves 
3 


34 


/IRetboC)9  ct  /llbission  Morb 


in  this  position  as  the  natural  result  of  providential 
circumstances.  In  many  cases  the  leader  is  the  person 
who  originated  the  station  with  which  he  is  connected, 
the  other  members  having  been  brought  into  the  Church 
by  his  instrumentality.  These  members  look  up  to  him 
as  their  natural  head  and  teacher,  and  a strong  feeling 
of  gratitude,  Christian  sympathy,  and  responsibility, 
grows  up  spontaneously.  In  some  cases  persons  brought 
in  afterwards  are  more  gifted  or  literary  than  the  orig- 
inal leader,  and  after  a time  take  his  place,  or  are  asso- 
ciated with  him  as  joint  leaders.  In  some  stations 
women  are  the  first  converts,  and  even  after  men  have 
joined  them,  exert  a marked  if  not  the  chief  influence, 
and  take  a prominent  part  in  teaching,  exhortation,  and 
prayer. 

Chapels.  The  chapels,  with  the  chapel  furniture,  are 
provided  by  the  natives  themselves.  As  a rule  they  are 
not  separate,  buildings,  but  form  a part  of  the  ordinary 
Chinese  dwelling  house.  Often  the  chapel  belongs  to 
the  leader.  Sometimes  it  is  rented  by  the  Christians ; 
and  in  a few  places  it  is  a new  building  specially  erected 
for  the  purpose  of  worship.  When  this  is  the  case, 
Christians  from  other  villages  assist  with  their  contribu- 
tions ; and  I have  also  generally  contributed,  to  the 
amount  of  about  one-tenth  of  the  value  of  the  building. 
The  cost  of  these  chapels  ranges  from  thirty  to  one 
hundred  dollars  each.  There  is  as  yet  no  chapel  the 
ownership  of  which  is  vested  in  the  Church  as  a whole. 
Even  when  a new  building  is  erected  it  belongs  to  the 
man  on  whose  ground  it  stands.  The  fact  that  the 
chapels  form  a part  of  the  ordinary  dwelling  houses  of 
the  people  exempts  the  Christians,  I think,  from  a good 
deal  of  prejudice  and  persecution  which  is  apt  to  be 
excited  by  and  directed,  towards  distinctive  Church 
buildings. 

Instruction  of  Enquirers  and  Church  Members. 

Perhaps  the  most  important  question  which  can  arise 
in  connection  with  our  country  stations  is,  how  shall  we 


Stations  in  Central  Sbantung 


35 


most  effectually  carry  out  the  command  of  our  Saviour, — 
“Feed  my  sheep,”  “Feed  my  lambs.”  As  has  been 
before  indicated,  the  persons  mainly  depended  upon  for 
performing  this  work  are  the  leaders.  In  our  present 
circumstances  in  Shantung,  no  other  plan  is  possible. 
Where  could  we  obtain  native  preachers  for  teaching 
and  superintending  the  one  hunHr^H  fi Ay- stations 

already  established  ? There  are  less  than  a dozen  can- 
didates for  the  ministry  in  the  whole  field.  We  cannot 
yet  know  how  many  of  these  will  be  acceptable  to  the 
people ; and  the  number  of  stations  is  constantly  in- 
creasing. Were  it  desirable  to  supply  each  station  with 
a native  preacher  we  have  not  the  men ; and  it  would 
not  be  reasonable  to  suppose  that  we  should  have  at  this 
stage  of  our  work.  If  we  had  the  men,  who  would 
support  them  ? The  natives  at  present  are  too  weak  to 
do  it,  and  if  the  foreign  Boards  were  able  to  assume  this 
burden,  their  doing  so  would  establish  a precedent  which 
would  add  very  much  to  the  difficulties  of  making  the 
native  Churches  independent  and  self-supporting  in  the 
future. 

In  my  opinion  we  may  go  a step  farther,,  and  say  that 
th^ntroduction  oT  paid  preachers  in  each  station,  .oven 
if  it  were  possible,  would  not  at  present  be  desirable. 
The  leaders  understand  better  than  a person  from  a dis- 
tance could,  the  individual  peculiarities  of  their  neigh- 
bors, and  also  the  tones  and  inflections  of  the  local 
dialect,  and  local  expressions,  illustrations,  and  habits 
of  thought.  They  are  likely  to  be  more  interested  in 
those  about  them,  most  of  whom  may  be  called  their 
own  converts,  than  any  one  else  could  be,  and  are  more 
disposed  to  give  them  the  care  and  attention  necessary 
in  instructing  beginners.  In  teaching  they  set  an  ex- 
ample to  others ; a larger  ipmber  of  teachers  is  thus 
secured  than  could  be  obtained  in  any  other  way ; and 
learning  and  teaching  go  on  together,  the  one  preparing 
for  the  other,  and  the  teaching  being  an  important  part 
of  the  learning,  perhaps  quite  as  useful  to  the  teacher  as 
to  the  taught.  Though  the  knowledge  of  the  leaders 


36 


^etboDe  of  /ibiBsion  ‘iOIlorb 


may  be  elementary  and  incomplete,  they  are  quite  in 
advance  of  the  o*ther  church  members  and  enquirers, 
and  what  they  do  know  is  just  what  the  others  need  first 
to  learn ; and  the  leaders  are  especially  fitted  to  com- 
municate this  knowledge,  simply  because  they  are  not 
widely  separated  in  intelligence  and  sympathy  from 
those  who  are  to  be  taught. 

It  must  be  admitted  that  in  this  matter  of  appointing 
leaders  we  meet  in  the  beginning  with  serious  difficulties. 
Sometimes  it  is  almost  impossible  to  find  one.  The 
station  contains  perhaps  not  a single  person  who  can 
read.  Even  then,  however,  a modification  of  our  plan 
is  found  to  work  good  results  in  the  end.  If  the  weak 
station  is  within  reach  of  a stronger  older  one,  it  can 
obtain  help  by  worshiping  with  and  gaining  instruction 
from  it,  or  by  some  member  of  the  older  station  coming 
to  spend  Sunday  with  his  less  advanced  and  less  favored 
brethren.  The  helper  too  is  expected  to  give  special 
time  and  care  to  these  weak  stations.  There  ar^not  a 
ffiw  cases  of  men,  and  also  of  women,  who  at  first  could 
not  read,  who  can  now  rea^  the  Scriptures,  teach,  and 
lead  the  singing ; and  are  not  only  efficient  leaders  in 
their  own  stations  but  exert  a happy  influence  outside 
of  it. 

From  the  first,  we  emphasize  rather  than 

/freacMn^  l.  'KQrQ  use  the  word  “preaching  ” in  its 
silecific  sense  of  logical  and  more  or  less  elaborate  dis- 
sertation. We  should  remember  that  continuous  dis- 
course is  something  which  is  almost  unknown  in  China. 
Even  educated  Chinamen  follow  it  with  difficulty.  A 
carefully  prepared  sermon  from  a trained  native  preacher 
or  a foreign  missionary,  such  a sermon  as  would  be 
admirably  suited  to  an  intelligent  educated  Christian 
congregation,  is  out  of  place  in  a new  station.  From 
the  fact  that  it  is  adapted  to  another  kind  of  congrega- 
tion, it  is  by  necessary  consequence  unsuitable  here. 
An  attempt  at  formal  preaching  by  those  who  have 
neither  the  Scriptural  knowledge  nor  the  intellectual  and 
practical  training  to  fit  them  for  it  is  still  more  to  be 


Station6  In  Central  Shantung 


37 


deprecated.  We  who  are  accustomed  from  childhood 
to  instruction  by  lectures  and  sermons,  naturally  and 
very  properly  introduce  them  in  the  mission  centres 
where  we  are  located ; and  our  personal  teachers,  and 
pupils  trained  in  our  schools,  become  accustomed  to 
them,  and  are  profited  by  them.  In  the  country  sta- 
tions, a few  of  the  more  advanced  Christians  may  be 
benefited  by  a sermon,  but  to  the  great  body  of  hearers 
who  most  need  instruction  it  would  be  like  listening  to 
utterances  in  an  unknown  tongue.  This  kind  of  preach- 
ing gives  rise  in  the  Church  from  its  very  infancy  to  a 
kind  of  formalism  which  is  almost  fatal  to  growth  and 
progress.  The  congregation  rises,  or  sits,  or  kneels  as 
directed,  and  may  maintain  a reverent  attitude,  and 
listen,  or  have  the  appearance  of  listening,  to  what  is 
said  : in  a word  they  have  a service,  and  go  home  with 
their  consciences  satisfied,  but  their  minds  not  enlight- 
ened. Even  the  Quaker  method  of  sitting  before  God 
in  silent  meditation  or  mute  reverence  would  be  prefer- 
able to  having  the  mind  distracted  by  allusions  to 
something  they  have  not  heard  of,  thoughts  beyond 
their  reach,  and  processes  of  reasoning  which  they  can- 
not follow.  I am  far  from  saying  that  no  good  is 
accomplished.  Those  who  engage  in  such  a service,  as 
many  of  them  do,  feeling  that  they  are  offering  homage 
and  worship  to  the  true  God  their  Heavenly  Father, 
though  they  may  only  catch  an  occasional  idea  from  a 
prayer,  or  an  exhortation,  ora  sermon,  will  be  benefited, 
and  their  worship  will  no  doubt  be  accepted.  Most  of 
the  persons  in  our  congregations  are,  as  regards  their 
mental  development,  in  the  condition  of  children,  and 
have  to  be  treated  as  such. 

But  to  return  to  the  methods  of  teaching  which  we 
have  been  led  to  adopt.  All  converts  at  first  receive 
more  or  less  oral  instruction  and  direction  from  the 
foreign  missionary,  or  the  native  helper,  or  the  leader 
by  whom  they  are  brought  into  the  Church,  d'hey  are 
required  to  commit  to  memory  and  to  learn  the  meaning 
of  a simple  Catechism  containing  a compendium  of 


38 


jfflbctboDB  of  /Iftission  ‘maorb 


Christian  doctrine,  and  also  forms  of  prayer  and  pas- 
sages of  Scripture.  During  the  period  of  probation 
they  are  expected  to  attend  services  regularly,  and  to 
perform  the  religious  duties  of  professing  Christians. 
The  time  of  probation  has  varied  from  six  months,  (or 
less  in  exceptional  cases,)  to  one  or  two  years.  Our 
English  Baptist  brethren  have  recently  increased  it,  fix- 
ing the  minimum  at  eighteen  months. 

We  have  found  it  necessary  in  order  to  systematize 
and  unify  our  work  to  establish  rules  and  regulations, 
which  have  been  put  up  in  the  chapels  as  placards. 
Most  of  these,  having  been  adopted  by  Mr.  Corbett  and 
myself,  are  now  embodied  in  the  new  edition  of  the 
Manual  for  Enquirers,  which  is  published  by  the  North 
China  Tract  Society.  This  Manual,  the  Catechism,  and 
the  Gospels,  are  the  books  which  I place  in  the  hands 
of  every  enquirer,  and  little  more  is  needed  for  years 
in  the  way  of  text  books  for  those  who  have  not  pre- 
viously learned  to  read. 

'Fhe  Manual  contains : General  Directions  for  Prose- 
cuting Scripture  Studies ; Forms  of  Prayer ; the  Apos- 
tles’ Creed  ; and  Select  Passages  of  Scripture — to  be 
committed  to  memory.  Then  follows ; a large  selection 
of  Scripture  stories  and  parables,  with  directions  as  to 
how  they  should  be  recited  and  explained ; only  the 
titles  of  these  are  given  with  references  to  the  place 
in  the  Bible  where  they  are  to  be  found.  Then  follow: 
Rules  for  the  Organization  and  Direction  of  Stations; 
Duties  of  Leaders  and  Rules  for  their  Guidance ; a sys- 
tem of  forms  for  keeping  Station  Records,  of  attendance 
and  studies,  &c.  ; Form  of  Church  Covenant ; Scrip- 
ture Lessons  for  Preparing  for  Baptism ; the  same  for 
preparing  for  the  Lord’s  Supper ; Order  of  Exercises 
for  Church  Service  and  Directions  for  Spending  Sunday ; 
a short  Scripture  Catechism — enforcing  the  Duty  of  Giving 
of  our  substance  for  benevolent  purposes  ; and  a short 
essay  on  the  Duty  of  Every  Christian  to  make  known 
the  Gospel  to  Others.  To  the  whole  is  appended  Ques- 
tions on  the  various  parts,  specially  prepared  to  facilitate 


Stations  In  Central  Shantung 


39 


the  teaching  and  examination  of  learners.  A selection 
of  our  most  common  Hymns  is  also  sometimes  bound 
up  with  the  volume. 

Studies  prosecuted  are  divided  into  six  kinds;  all 
church  members  and  enquirers  are  supposed  to  be  carry- 
ing on  two  or  three  of  these  at  the  same  time,  of  which 
a complete  record  is  kept.  The  six  kinds  of  studies 
are — Learning  to  Read  ; Memorizing  Scripture  ; Read- 
ing Scripture  in  course;  telling  Scripture  Stories;  Learn- 
ing the  meaning  of  Scripture ; and  Reviews  of  former 
exercises.  The  books  used  are  almost  exclusively  in 
Mandarin,  in  the  Chinese  character. 

We  find  Catechisms  and  Scripture  question  books  of 
great  use  not  only  for  enquirers  but  the  more  advanced 
Christians. 

I give  great  prominence  to  learning  and  reciting  Scrip- 
ture Stories  and  Parables,  and  nothing  has  been  found  to 
produce  more  satisfactory  results.  It  excites  interest, 
develops  thought,  and  furnishes  in  a simple  form  a com- 
pendium of  Bible  History  and  Christian  Duty ; while  a 
careful  training  in  relating  Bible  Stories  and  drawing 
practical  lessons  from  them  is  one  of  the  best  ways  of 
developing  preaching  talent  wherever  it  is  found. 

Scholars  as  well  as  the  illiterate  are  required  to  learn 
the  Manual,  not  only  for  their  own  sakes  but  in  order  to 
teach  others.  They  soon  familiarize  themselves  with  its^ 
contents,  and  pass  on  to  the  general  study  of  the  Scrip- 
tures with  the  help  of  commentaries. 

Bible  or  Training  Classes. 

The  stations  of  Mr.  Corbett  and  myself  are  on  an 
average  about  two  hundred  miles  distant  from  our  home 
in  Chefoo.  In  visiting  them  we  have  only  time  for 
necessary  examinations,  together  with  general  instruc- 
tions and  directions.  To  secure  thorough  and  method- 
ical teaching,  no  plan  has  been  found  practicable  but 
that  of  a select  number  of  the  learners  coming  to  us  in 
Chefoo.  These  have  been  organized  into  classes  which 
have  formed  a kind  of  Normal  School.  At  first  enquirers 


40  /IRctboDs  of  /Ifti60lon  TlClorb 


came.  Since  stations  have  been  established,  enquirers 
in  the  vicinity  of  them  prepare  for  baptism  at  home. 
For  several  years  past  our  classes  have  been  composed 
of  the  more  advanced  church  members  especially  selected 
and  invited.  They  come  with  the  understanding  that  in 
going  back  to  their  homes  they  are  to  communicate  what 
they  have  learned  to  others.  They  are  in  no  sense  in 
our  employ  or  pay,  and  their  previous  occupations  and 
relations  continue  as  before.  As  we  are  absent  on  our 
tours  in  the  spring  and  autumn,  the  classes  assemble  in 
Chefoo  during  the  summer  and  winter  months  when  we 
are  at  home,  and  continue  in  session  from  six  weeks  to 
two  months. 

In  many  cases  we  have  been  obliged  to  pay  the  travel- 
ling expenses  of  members  of  the  classes  in  returning 
home ; the  money  they  bring  with  them  being  as  a rule 
expended  before  the  session  is  over.  During  the  last  few 
years,  however,  not  a few  have  provided  their  own  trav- 
elling expenses  for  both  coming  and  returning.  During 
their  stay  with  us  they  are  our  guests,  we  furnishing  them 
with  food  and  lodgings.  We  have  found  this  course 
necessary,  and  do  not  think  it  under  the  circumstances 
unreasonable.  Most  of  these  students  are  poor  and  could 
not  afford  to  pay  all  their  expenses.  Coming  as  they  do, 
requires  what  is  to  them  a considerable  outlay  in  pro- 
viding decent  clothing,  and  food  by  the  way.  The  loss 
of  time  in  attending  the  class  is  also  to  some  a matter 
of  no  small  importance.  Many  incur  heavy  expenses  in 
the  course  of  the  year  in  discharging  the  duties  of  Chris- 
tian hospitality  in  their  homes,  where  they  have  frequent 
visits  from  natives  and  foreigners;  so  that  in  entertaining 
them  while  with  us,  we  are  only  in  part  repaying  in  kind 
what  they  have  already  expended  in  establishing  and 
extending  the  work  in  their  own  neighborhoods. 

The  studies  while  with  us  are  mainlyfScrlpturali,  with 
additional  elementaYYJihstructib'n  in  AsTronomy,  Geo- 
graphy, and  History,  and  general  knowledge.  Here,  as 
in  the  stations,  lessons  are  carried  on  ca^fecheticallyj  and 
what  is  taught  one  day  is  the  subject  of  examination  the 


Stations  in  Central  Shantung 


41 


next.  Much  attention  is  also  given  to  rehearsing  Scrip- 
ture stories.  One  hour  a day  is  assigned  to  instruction 
in  vocal  musicj  which  has  been  taught  for  many  years 
principally  by  Mrs.  Nevius,  who  has  devoted  herself  to 
it  with  singular  assiduity  and  success.  While  the  classes 
are  with  us  we  give  nearly  all  our  time  and  strength  to 
them.  Those  who  come  here  with  an  earnest  purpose  to 
learn,  enjoy  the  exercises  and  are  benefited  by  them  ; 
those  who  do  not,  cannot  bear  the  pressure,  and  soon 
find  an  excuse  for  going  home. 

My  classes  have  numbered  of  late  about  forty.  So 
far  as  practicable,  the  same  individuals  come  year  after 
year.  They  have  gone  over  the  Gospels. (some  of  them 
repeatedly);  the  Acts  of  the  Apostles;  Romans;  and 
several  of  the  other  Epistles;  and  parts  of  the  Old  Tes- 
tament. Their  proficiency  in  Scripture  knowledge  will 
compare  favorably  with  that  of  intelligent  adult  classes 
in  Sunday  schools  at  home.  They  could  sustain  a very 
creditable  examination  on  the  Acts  of  the  Apostles ; and 
also  on  Romans,  mastering  the  argument  and  being  able 
to  reproduce  it.  Some  have  written  while  here  so  full 
and  clear  an  analysis  of  that  Epistle  that  their  manu- 
scripts were  sought  for  and  copied  by  others  who  could 
not  come  to  the  class.  The  hymns  which  they  sing  are 
for  the  most  part  translations  of  familiar  English  hymns, 
in  the  same  meters  as  the  originals,  and  sung  to  the  same 
familiar  tunes.  They  are  taught  to  sing  by  note  and 
some  of  them  read  music  very  well.  They  have  great 
difficulty  with  the  half  tones,  their  scale  and  ours  being 
different. 

These  classes  have  almost  fulfilled  their  purpose  and 
will  probably  soon  give  place  to  Theological  classes  ; 
those  who  have  attended  them  having  acquired  such  a 
familiarity  with  the  Scriptures  as  enables  them  now  to 
carry  on  their  studies  at  home,  with  the  help  of  com- 
mentaries and  other  Christian  books. 


Chapter  D» 


ORIGIN  AND  GROWTH  OF  STATIONS  IN  CENTRAL  SHANTUNG. 


Continued. 


The  proficiency  in  Christian  knowledge  of  the  members 
of  these  country  stations  will,  I think,  bear  favorable 
comparison  with  that  of  the  converts  cared  for  by  resi- 
dent preachers.  The  degree  of  illiteracy  of  the  inhab- 
itants of  these  rural  districts  is  perhaps  somewhat  greater 
than  that  of  the  population  of  China  taken  as  a whole. 
Not  more  than  one  out  of  twenty  of  the  men  can  read, 
and  not  one  of  a thousand  of  the  women.  Among  our 
Christians,  nearly  all  the  children  and  most  of  the  adults 
of  both  sexes  under  fifty  years  of  age  learn  to  read. 
Some  have  made  remarkable  progress  in  the  study  of  the 
Scriptures.  A large  proportion  of  them  have  committed 
to  memory  the  Sermon  on  the  Mount  and  many  other 
select  passages  of  the  Bible.  Scripture  ideas  and  phrases 
have  entered  into  the  language  of  every-day  life.  Persons 
of  advanced  age,  though  themselves  unable  to  read,  take 
great  pleasure  in  relating  Scripture  stories  and  parables, 
and  in  teaching  others  less  instructed  what  they  have 
learned.  The  mental  development  of  the  converts  and 
their  enthusiasm  in  their  studies  have  in  many  places 
attracted  the  attention  and  excited  the  wonder  of  their 
heathen  neighbors.  In  one  of  our  stations  there  is  a 
literary  man  named  Fu,  now  over  fifty  years  of  age,  who 
has  been  totally  blind  for  more  than  twenty  years.  He 
has  taught  his  daughter,  a girl  of  fifteen,  to  read  the 
42 


Origin  anC)  Orowtb  of  Stations.  43 


Bible  ; she  describing  the  characters  as  seen,  and  he  tell- 
ing her  the  names  and  meanings  of  them.  She  has  in 
this  way  learned  about  two  thousand  characters.  Her 
father  has  memorized  from  her  lips  the  gospels  of  Mat- 
thew and  John,  the  Acts  of  the  Apostles,  and  Romans, 
and  many  other  portions  of  Scripture.  He  and  other 
members  of  his  family  have  taught  his  sister,  Mrs.  Rung, 
who  is  also  blind,  to  repeat  nine  chapters  of  Matthew ; 
and  this  blind  woman  has  taught  her  invalid  bed-ridden 
sister-in-law,  Mrs.  Wang,  to  read  the  Scriptures,  by  re- 
peating them  to  her  character  by  character  from  memory, 
while  her  sister-in  law  finds  out  the  words  on  the  printed 
page. 

The  manner  in  which  Stations  are  Propagated. 

Many  of  the  stations  in  this  province,  originated,  as 
before  stated,  in  the  labors  of  paid  agents  employed  as 
evangelists.  When  new  ones  are  established,  however, 
they' are  usually  organized  under  a leader  chosen  on  the 
plan  detailed  above.  The  English  Baptist  stations  and 
my  own  have  for  the  most  part  been  established  without 
the  help  of  paid  evangelists.  They  radiate  from  self- 
propagating  centres,  reminding  one  of  sarmentaceous 
plants  which  propagate  themselves  by  runners  striking 
root  and  producing  new  plants  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
parent  stock;  the  new  plants  in  their  turn  repeating  the 
same  process.  When  a man  becomes  a Christian  the  fact 
is  known  through  the  whole  circle  of  his  acquaintances, 
male  and  female,  far  and  wide.  It  is  generally  believed 
that  his  mind  has  lost  its  balance.  He  is  shunned  for  a 
time,  but  before  long  his  friends  visit  him  either  from 
sympathy  or  curiosity.  They  find  him  in  apparently  a 
normal  condition  and  working  quietly  in  his  shop  or  on 
his  farm ; and  are  curious  to  know  what  this  new  de- 
parture means.  An  opportunity  is  thus  afforded  of  pre- 
senting the  claims  of  Christianity  as  not  the  religion  of 
the  foreigner  but  the  true  religion  for  all  mankind.  The 
visitor  goes  home  and  thinks  about  the  matter  and  comes 
again ; attends  service  on  Sunday ; is  interested  in  the 


44  /lftctbo56  of  /HSi06ion  inaorft 


truth ; makes  a profession  of  Christianity ; and  in  pro- 
cess of  time  his  home  becomes  a new  propagating  centre. 
Stations  started  in  this  manner  have  the  advantage  of  a 
natural  connection  with  the  parent  station ; and  they  are 
nourished  and  supported  by  it  until  they  are  strong 
enough  to  have  the  connection  severed  and  live  and 
grow  independently.  The  Baptist  mission,  having  tried 
both  methods  for  some  years  past  in  the  same  field,  have 
found  that  as  a rule  the  stations  which  have  originated 
as  the  result  of  the  labors  of  paid  agents,  have  been 
comparatively  weak  and  unreliable,  and  some  have  en- 
tirely fallen  away;  while  those  which  have  been  com- 
menced on^ _t h e(§el f -jprppagaU  principle  have  generally 

maintained  a health y,_  vigorous  growth.  Instead  of  in- 
creasing their  paid  agents  as  the  number  of  church 
members  has  increased,  that  mission  has  diminished 
them  nearly  one-half.  Tj^  self-propagating  principle 
often  results  in  the  establishment  of  stations  one  or  two 
days’  journey  from  the  propagating  centre. 

I have  often  been  asked,  Why  do  you  not  employ 
and  pay  more  native  agents?”  I reply  by  another 
question  ; Why  should  I ? The  only  men  I could  em- 
ploy are  exerting  what  influence  they  have  for  good  where 
they  now  are.  My  paying  them  money  and  transferring 
them  from  one  place  to  another  would  not  make  them 
better  men  nor  increase  their  influence.  It  might  have 
the  opposite  effect.  During  the  last  few  years,  I have 
in  fact  frequently  been  inclined  to  attempt  to  enlarge 
and  hasten  on  the  work  by  selecting  and  employing  na- 
tive agents  from  my  stations,  and  have  requested  money 
appropriations  from  our  society  to  enable  me  to  do  so. 
When  the  time  has  come  for  carrying  out  this  plan,  how- 
ever, I have  refrained  from  taking  the  proposed  step, 
fearing  that  it  would  do  more  harm  than  good. 

I am  asked  again,  “ Do  you  intend  never  to  employ 
native  paid  agents?  ” My  reply  is,  I leave  this  question 
to  be  determined  by  the  circumstances,  and  in  the  light 
of  the  future.  If  suitable  men  are  found,  and  it  is  clear 
that  employing  them  as  paid  agents  would  do  good,  I 


anD  0rowtb  of  Stations. 


45 


should  be  glad  to  see  them  employed,  and  the  more  of 
them  the  better. 

The  Classes  to  which  our  Church  members  belong. 

Most  of  our  stations  are  found  in  country  villages ; 
and  in  general  the  Christians  may  be  said  to  belong  to 
the  middle  class.  Although  none  of  them  are  what  we 
should  call  rich,  not  a few  are  “well  to  do  " as  com- 
pared to  the  majority  of  their  own  people.  Many  are 
farmers  and  day  laborers.  We  have  also  school  teachers, 
artisans,  pedlers,  and  innkeepers.  As  a rule  men  pre- 
ponderate in  numbers,  though  some  Churches  are  com- 
posed mostly  of  women.  Sometimes  the  men  are  first 
reached,  and  influence  the  women  of  their  families  to 
follow  them;  and  sometimes  the  reverse  is  the  case. 
The  work  among  the  women  has  in  my  stations,  and  in 
the  main  in  all  the  others,  been  carried  on  without  the 
help  of  foreign  ladies.  A few  country  women  have  come 
to  Chefoo  to  receive  instruction  from  Mrs.  Nevius.  In 
most  places  visits  of  ladies,  except  the  wives  of  mission- 
aries accompanying  their  husbands,  would  hitherto  have 
been  impracticable  and,  in  the  opinion  of  the  native 
Christians,  undesirable.  The  common  assertion  that 
heathen  women  cannot  be  evangelized  through  the  in- 
strumentality of  men  is  certainly  not  universally  true  in 
China.  Facts  prove  the  contrary.  In  most  places, 
indeed  generally  in  the  interior  at  a distance  from  the 
established  central  stations,  they  can  hardly  be  reached 
and  evangelized  except  by  men.  In  many  of  the  Shan- 
tungjtations  women  stand  out  prominently  as  examples 
oT^z^  and  proficiency  in  Christian  knowledge. 

Persecution. 

Opposition  and  persecution  have  marked  the  course 
of  our  work  to  a greater  or  less  extent  in  every  district. 
The  authority  of  the  family  or  clan  is  often  invoked  to 
overrule  the  individual  in  his  determination  to  enter  the 
new  religion.  Village  elders  and  trustees  of  temples 
unite  in  efforts  to  exact  from  Christians  contributions 


46 


/HbetboJ>6  of  /llbission  “Morb 


for  theatres  and  the  repairs  of  temples.  When  native 
Christians  persist  in  asserting  their  purpose  to  follow 
their  own  convictions  of  duty  in  opposition  to  those  who 
think  they  have  both  the  right  and  the  power  to  control 
them,  open  outbreaks  ensue,  resulting  in  brutal  assaults, 
house-burning,  and  in  some  cases  driving  Christians  from 
their  homes.  Native  Christians  are  sometimes  arraigned 
before  the  local  magistrates  on  fictitious  charges;  and 
when  it  is  found,  as  at  times  is  the  case,  that  the  local 
magistrate  is  only  too  glad  to  join  in  the  persecution, 
false  accusations  become  more  numerous,  and  old  law 
suits  in  which  the  Christians  were  parties  are  revived. 
In  these  litigations  the  persecutors  have  every  advantage. 
There  are  among  them  those  familiar  with  all  the  arts 
and  intricacies  of  Chinese  law-suits,  and  those  who  have 
friends  in  the  ya-men  and  money  for  bribery  when  it  is 
required.  Under  these  circumstances  the  Christians 
have  small  hope  of  justice.  Charges  are  brought  against 
them  with  such  a show  of  plausibility,  and  such  an  array 
of  evidence,  that  officers  who  are  disposed  to  act  justly, 
as  I believe  some  of  them  are,  may  almost  be  excused 
for  regarding  Christians  as  guilty  culprits  and  treating 
them  accordingly. 

In  cases  of  great  injustice  and  abuse,  missionaries  have 
taken  up  the  complaints  of  the  native  Christians,  ap- 
pealed to  their  consuls,  and  in  some  instances  obtained 
partial  redress.  It  must  be  acknowledged,  however,  that 
we  have  not  invariably  elicited  correct  representations 
of  these  cases;  and  also  that,  when  through  the  influence 
of  the  foreign  teachers  the  tide  of  fortune  has  turned  in 
favor  of  the  Christians,  they  have  not  always  been  free 
from  a spirit  of  revenge  and  retaliation.  Bitter  and 
unjust  as  the  treatment  has  been  which  our  Christians 
have  often  received,  it  is  a growing  opinion  here  that 
the  best  weapons  with  which  to  meet  this  opposition  are 
Christian  patience  and  forbearance ; and  that  the  surest 
victory  and  the  one  which  will  be  followed  by  the  best 
results  is  that  of  ‘^overcoming  evil  with  good.”  We 


QxiQin  anD  (Browtb  of  Stations. 


47 


are  less  and  less  disposed  to  appeal  to  the  civil  power  on 
behalf  of  our  people,  except  in  extreme  cases. 

Sabbath  Observance. 

The  difficulty  of  enforcing  strict  rules  ’ of  Sabbath 
observance  is  not  less  here  than  in  other  parts  of  China. 
Our  own  mission  has  taken  strong  ground  on  this  subject. 
We  regard  the  Sabbath  not  as  a Jewish  institution  but 
an  institution  for  man  in  all  ages  wherever  found.  We 
believe  it  has  the  same  authority  as  the  other  command- 
ments of  the  decalogue  ; that  the  obligation  to  keep  one 
day  holy  unto  the  Lord  antedates  the  decalogue,  as  the 
duties  enjoined  in  the  other  commandments  do ; and 
that  the  decalogue  is  but  the  divine  reannunciation  and 
publication  of  universal  and  eternal  law.  As  such  we 
hold  that  it  can  never  be  abrogated  ; that  its  observance 
is  inseparably  connected  with  the  prosperity  of  the 
Church ; and  an  index  of  its  spiritual  state. 

In  determining  how  Sunday  shall  be  observed,  or  in 
other  words,  in  the  interpretation  of  the  fourth  com- 
mandment, we  have  an  infallible  guide  in  the  teachings 
of  our  Saviour.  He  has  declared  that  it  is  lawful  and 
right  (i)  to  do  good  on  the  Sabbath  day;  (2)  to  per- 
form acts  of  necessity;  (3)  of  mercy  and  kindness;  (4) 
to  perform  work  connected  with  or  necessary  to  the 
worship  and  service  of  God ; (5)  that  as  the  Sabbath 
was  made  for  man  and  not  man  for  the  Sabbath,  this 
commandment  should  be  so  construed  as  to  subserve  and 
not  interfere  with  man’s  best  and  highest  good.  God’s 
revelation  of  truth  and  duty  is  one  consistent  whole, 
each  part  connected  with  and  conditioned  by  the  others. 
Cases  may  occur  in  which  one  command  overrules  and 
supersedes  another.  The  paramount  authority  and  com- 
mand of  God  may  make  it  a man’s  duty  under  some 
circumstances  to  disobey  a parent ; the  civil  law  or  the 
inherent  right  to  preserve  one’s  own  life  against  lawless 
violence,  may  make  it  right  to  destroy  human  life ; and 
the  necessities  of  war  or  famine  may  justify  a man  in 
taking  and  using  what  does  not  belong  to  him.  So  cir- 


48 


/IRctbot)0  of  iTRl00ion  Morft 


cumstances  may  justify  the  performance  of  ordinary  labor 
on  the  Sabbath,  in  which  case  such  labor  is  not  to  be 
regarded  as  ignoring  or  breaking  the  fourth  command- 
ment, but  as  obeying  God’s  will  in  the  exceptional  as 
well  as  the  usual  observance  of  the  day.  Nothing  should 
be  done  which  the  above  principles  laid  down  by  our 
Saviour  do  not  warrant. 

It  is  evident  that  the  natural  outcome  of  these  princi- 
ples must  be  a great  diversity  of  practice,  growing  out 
of  varied  situations  and  conditions.  It  is  evident  also 
that  the  application  of  these  principles  must  be  left 
largely  to  each  individual  Christian.  I believe  this  may 
safely  be  done  so  long  as  the  divine  obligation  of  the 
command  is  acknowledged.  On  the  graduated  scale, 
representing  on  one  hand  actions  plainly  inadmissible, 
and  on  the  other,  actions  as  manifestly  admissible,  there 
is  a wide  medium  of  debatable  ground  where  room  must 
be  left  for  the  exercise  of  individual  liberty  and  Chris- 
tian charity. 

To  make  the  matter  more  practical.  On  the  side  of 
unjustifiable  Sunday  labor  we  may  designate  that  of  the 
farmer  who  tills  his  own  land,  and  is  or  ought  to  be  the 
master  of  his  own  establishment ; or  the  artisan  who 
works  in  his  own  shop  with  or  without  employees.  In 
such  cases  as  these  we  insist  on  a strict  observance  of  the 
Sabbath,  and  make  a breach  of  this  observance  a matter 
of  censure  and  discipline. 

On  the  side  of  justifiable  work  we  designate  enforced 
labor  performed  on  Sunday  by  slaves,  minors,  daughters- 
'in-law,  &c. 

In  our  stations  the  duty  of  Sabbath  observance  is  gen- 
erally acknowledged,  and  I think  I may  say  that  there*is 
a manifest  improvement  in  public  sentiment  on  this  sub- 
ject. In  my  own  field  there  is  a considerable  proportion 
of  the  stations  in  which  the  observance  of  the  day  is 
gratifying  and  commendable ; but  in  a majority  of  these 
stations  strict  observance  is  the  exception,  and  a loose 
and  partial  one  the  rule.  We  hope  to  see  a gradual  ad- 
vancement in  this  matter  as  the  result,  with  God’s  grace 


©ngin  anD  (3rowtb  of  Stations. 


49 


and  help,  of  careful  Bible  teaching  and  the  examples  of 
our  more  advanced  and  conscientious  Christians. 

It  may  be  objected  that  insisting  on  the  divine  obli- 
gation of  Sabbath  observance,  and  at  the  same  time 
providing  for  the  relaxing  or  annulling  of  these  obliga- 
tions, practically  leads  to  about  the  same  result  as  leaving 
the  whole  matter  to  be  determined  by  individual  choice 
or  expediency.  It  should  be  remembered,  however,  that 
this  modification  or  relaxation  is  not  one  of  our  sugges- 
tion, but  is  specifically  laid  down  by  the  Lord  of  the 
Sabbath  Himself.  The  practice  here  advocated  provides, 
too,  for  the  gradual  and  finally  complete  introduction  of 
the  Sabbath  into  heathen  lands  on  a basis  of  divine 
authority ; while  the  theory  that  the  Sabbath  was  only  a 
Jewish  institution  makes  the  observance  of  it  a matter 
of  choice  rather  than  duty,  and  condones  for  its  neglect 
or  abuse,  which  gradually  becomes  a habit  interwoven 
with  social  and  national  customs.  Under  one  theory, 
so  far.  as  this  question  is  concerned,  the  Church  is  like  a 
ship  at  turn  of  tide  drifting  in  different  directions  in 
obedience  to  the  temporary  influences  of  wind  and  tide 
but  still  holding  fast  to  her  anchor  and  destined  to  settle 
soon  in  a fixed  position  ; under  the  other  theory  she  is 
without  anchor  and  drifting  hopelessly. 

Discipline. 

We  regard  the  administration  of  discipline  as  indis- 
pensable to  the  growth  and  prosperity  of  our  work,  and 
attention  to  it  claims  a large  portion  of  our  time  and 
thoughts.  With  the  use  of  our  Record  Boojc,  and  the 
assistance  of  our  leaders  and  helpers,  and  information 
obtained  from  other  sources,  the  difficulty  in  gaining  a 
knowledge  of  the  real  state  of  things  is  not  so  great  as 
might  at  first  be  supposed. 

The  proportion  of  those  who  have  been  excommuni- 
cated on  account  of  scandalous  offences  is  comparatively 
small.  The  great  majority  of  them,  perhaps  as  many  as 
eighty  per  cent,  are  cases  of  gradual  and  at  last  complete 
neglect  of  Christian  duties,  commencing  with  giving  up 
4 


50 


/BbetboDa  of  /Ibission  *CClorl; 


Bible  study,  disregard  of  the  Sabbath,  and  neglect  of 
public  worship.  It  now  appears  that  most  of  these  per- 
sons entered  the  Church  without  a clear  apprehension  of 
what  Christianity,  theoretical  and  practical,  is.  Their 
motives  seem  to  have  been  to  obtain  a place  as  a preacher 
or  servant,  or  pecuniary  aid  in  other  ways,  or  to  get 
help  in  law-suits,  actual  or  anticipated ; all  these  motives 
being  connected  no  doubt  with  the  sincere  conviction 
that  Christianity  is  true,  and  a desire  to  share  in  the 
spiritual  blessings  which  it  confers.  They  were  also 
ignorant  of  the  difficulties  and  trials  connected  with  a 
Christian  profession,  and  so  when  they  met  with  opposi- 
tion and  persecution  they  fell  away. 

We  administer  discipline  as  directed  by  the  Scriptures 
and  generally  practiced  by  Christian  Churches  at  home ; 
first,  by  exhortation  and  admonition,  followed  if  neces- 
sary by  a formal  trial  and  suspension ; and  after  a period 
of  suspension  varying  from  a few  months  to  one  or  two 
years,  in  failure  of  reformation,  by  excommunication. 

The  whole  number  of  adult  baptisms  in  my  own  field 
during  the  last  seven  years  has  been  about  one  thousand. 
The  proportion  of  excommunicated  persons  is  about 
twenty  per  cent,  of  the  whole,  and  more  than  half  of 
them  have  been  from  the  one  hien^  Shiu-kwang,  where 
there  were  for  a time  numerous  accessions  under  a good 
deal  of  excitement.  In  the  other  four  hien  the  propor- 
tion of  excommunicated  persons  as  compared  to  the 
whole  number  of  converts  is  about  ten  per  cent.  While 
there  has  been  this  falling  away  in  individuals,  there  has 
been  a ccy:nparatively  slight  loss  of  stations,  nearly  all 
having  left  in  them  a few  earnest  men,  so  that  the  places 
where  there  have  been  most  excommunications  are  really 
stronger  and  more  promising  than  when  they  had  more 
names  on  the  roll.  No  station  has  as  yet  been  entirely 
given  up.  It  is  feared,  however,  that  we  shall  soon  have 
to  give  up  four,  three  of  them  in  the  district  of  Shiu- 
kwang. 

Cases  of  discipline  have  diminished  considerably  during 
the  last  year,  and  we  hope  the  number  may  be  much 


©rigin  ant)  0rowtb  of  Stations, 


51 


curtailed  in  the  future  by  avoiding  some  of  the  causes 
which  have  led  to  them.  Very  few  excommunicated 
persons  have  returned  to  us.  Very  few  have  become 
•enemies  and  open  opposers.  Most  are  indifferent,  some 
soured  and  disappointed.  Many  of  them  retain  strong 
sympathy  with  the  Church,  and  continue  to  attend  ser- 
vices. In  every  case,  so  far  as  I know,  the  administration 
of  discipline  has  been  sustained  by  public  opinion  in  the 
Church  and  outside  of  it ; and  the  effect  of  discipline 
has  been  decidedly  good.  I believe  the  neglect  of  it 
would  soon  result  in  checking  the  growth  and  perhaps 
extinguishing  the  life  of  the  Church. 

It  has  been  objected  to  this  plan  of  conducting  stations, 
that  with  the  missionary  living*so  far  away  from  them, 
and  the  new  converts  left  so  much  to  themselves,  it  is 
impossible  for  him  to  know  what  is  occurring,  and  the 
difficulties  of  finding  out  and  correcting  abuses  and  irre- 
gularities must  be  greatly  increased.  There  is  weight  in 
this  objection  ; but,  iii  my  opinion,  the  difficulties  are 
much  less  than  might  be  imagined  and  the  advantages  of 
the  stations  being  left  to  themselves  far  outweigh  the  dis- 
advantages. The  helper  is  able  to  find  out  quite  as  much 
about  the  stations  as  the  missionary  could  if  he  were 
constantly  living  among  them.  While  there  may  be 
motives  at  work  influencing  church  members  to  conceal 
important  facts  from  the  missionary  and  also  from  the 
helper,  there  are  other  motives  which  work  strongly  in 
the  opposite  direction.  Irregularities  or  improprieties 
on  the  part  of  an  individual  or  a party  in  the  Church, 
are  very  likely  to  be  reported  on  the  first  opportunity  by 
another  individual  or  party.  Should  a whole  station  be 
interested  in  concealing  something  which  ought  to  be 
known,  some  adjoining  station,  or  people  outside  the 
Church,  will  probably  be  found  ready  to  give  the  requi- 
site information.  Our  main  dependence,  however,  is  on 
the  honesty  and  integrity  of  the  leaders  and  the  church 
members ; and  especially  on  the  fact  that  the  station  is 
theirs  and  not  the  missionary’s;  and  that  they  rather 
than  he  are  the  ones  who  are  chiefly  interested  in  cor- 


52 


/iRctboDe  of  /llMssion  Morft 


recting  abuses.  The  fact  that  they  do  not  depend  upon 
the  missionary  for  pecuniary  support,  which  eliminates 
the  strongest  motive  for  concealment  or  deception,  is  a 
matter  of  much  greater  importance  than  the  proximity 
or  distance  of  the  missionary.  Many  facts  will  prove 
that  .where  there  is  a motive  to  deceive,  the  daily  pres- 
ence and  supervision  of  the  missionary  is  no  sure  guaran- 
tee against  concealment  and  deception  being  carried  on 
during  a long  course  of  years. 

Contributions. 

In  contributions  we  have  not  accomplished  what  we 
ought.  This  matter  has  been  constantly  kept  before  the 
Christians,  and  special  4)ooks  and  placards  treating  of 
this  subject  have  been  prepared  for  them  and  studied  by 
them.  A good  beginning  has  been  made  in  ways  which 
it  is  not  easy  to  tabulate  and  publish  in  public  reports. 
Chapels  have  been  built  and  furnished ; a good  deal  has 
been  done  especially  by  those  who  are  connected  with 
.chapels  in  entertaining  and  instructing  inquirers ; vol- 
untary labor  in  evangelizing  the  “regions  beyond”  has 
been  carried  on  to  a considerable  extent;  and  poor 
church  members  have  been  assisted.  In  addition  to 
this,  most  of  the  stations  have  given  a contribution 
through  the  foreign  missionary  once  or  twice  a year, 
varying  in  amount  from  one  to  three  or  four  dollars  or 
more,  which  has  been  applied  hitherto  to  paying  the 
expenses  of  the  helpers.  Our  contributions  this  year 
have  been  unfavorably  affected  by  an  unsuccessful  effort 
to  open  a silver  mine,  in  which  members  from  all  our 
Churches  are  engaged.  This  undertaking  is  likely  not 
only  to  diminish  our  contributions  but  also,  we  fear,  to 
injure  and  retard  the  work  of  the  stations  in  other  ways. 
Our  Christians  need  further  instruction  as  to  the  duty 
of  giving,  and  more  pressure  to  induce  them  to  give; 
and  also  to  have  placed  before  them  objects  suited  to 
draw  out  their  sympathies.  The  example  of  other  mis- 
sions, and  especially,  I may  mention,  facts  recently 
brought  to  our  notice  by  Mr.  Macgowan  in  connection 


©riciin  ant)  (Browtb  of  Statione.  53 


with  the  work  at  Amoy,  have  been  very  helpful  to  us. 

Schools. 

The  opinions  and  policy  of  the  missionaries  here  as 
to  schools  vary  considerably,  and  the  course  to  be  taken 
in  the  future  is  not  yet  fixed.  There  are  but  few  places 
where  the  native  Christians  are  strong  enough  in  num- 
bers and  wealth  to  support  schools  of  their  own.  One 
member  of  our  mission  is  trying  the  experiment  of  help- 
ing country  day  schools,  paying  about  one  dollar  a year 
for  each  pupil.  This  help'is  furnished  on  the  conditions 
that  the  schools  have  Christian  teachers,  that  the  pupils 
learn  Christian  books,  and  are  subject  to  the  examination 
and  control  of  the  foreign  missionary  and  his  helper.  A 
similar  plan  has  been  adopted  to  some  extent  by  the 
English  Baptist  missionaries. 

For  myself  I have  not  been  successful  with  this  plan. 
I am  helping  three  day  schools  this  year  to  the  amount 
of  from  five  to  eight  dollars  to  each  school.  These  are 
started  by  the  natives  who  applied  to  me  for  assistance. 
In  each  of  them,  I am  disposed  to  think  that  a promi- 
nent, if  not  the  chief  motive,  is  to  provide  a support 
for  the  teacher,  who  otherwise  would  have  no  source 
of  income. 

So  far  no  plan  for  schools  has  seemed  to  me  so  prac- 
ticable and  satisfactory  in  its  results  as  that  of  making 
stations  themselves  a kind  of  training  school  for  all  their 
members.  A great  deal  may  be  accomplished  by  system- 
atic teaching  on  Sunday,  and  also  employing  leisure 
months  and  days  in  study. 

The  plan  of  a free  day  school  during  the  winter  months 
when  the  farmers  have  little  to  do,  suggested  and  adopt- 
ed last  winter  in  one  of  the  stations,  has  interested  me 
greatly,  and  I should  like  very  much  to  see  it  or  some- 
thing similar  generally  adopted. 

Men  employed  and  incidental  expenses. 

From  the  more  than  eight  hundred  church  members 
in  my  stations,  I have  at  present  in  my  own  employ  two 


54 


/llbctboDs  of  /lbl90lon  ‘Umorh 


men,  viz.,  one  helper  who  receives  five  thousand  cash  ' 
($4.67)  per  month,  and  one  servant.  The  other  helper 
is  from  one  of  the  older  stations.  Besides  these,  there 
are  the  following  men  from  my  stations  in  the  employ 
of  other  missionaries,  viz.,  two  teachers,  three  helpers, 
and  six  servants,  making  the  whole  numbef  employed 
and  paid  by  foreigners  thirteen. 

Besides  these,  I have  for  several  years  supported  from 
private  funds  a young  man  from  a wealthy* family  who 
has  been  driven  from  his  home  by  violent  and  continued 
persecution.  His  expenses  'are  from  fifty  to  seventy 
dollars  a year.  He  is  now  studying  medicine  and  doing 
a good  medical  and  evangelistic  work  in  and  about  his 
home.  He  will,  I hope,  soon  be  independent  and  require 
no  further  help. 

The  amount  expended  for  providing  food  for  the  Bi- 
ble classes  at  Chefoo  composed  of  leaders  from  the 
stations  has  been  about  one  hundred  dollars  a year. 
By  tabulating  the  above  and  other  items  we  have  the 
following  as  the  entire  expense  for  my  stations  for  the 
past  year  1885,  aside  from  the  salary  and  itinerating 
e.xpenses  of  the  foreign  missionary: — 


Salary  of  two  helpers  . . $112.00 

Aid  to  one  medical  student  . 65.00 

Bible  classes  . . . . 5 4- 00 

Contributions  to  three  day  schools  18.00 
Contributions  towards  building  chapels  14.60 
Occasional  preaching  tours  . 15*80 

Help  in  cases  of  persecution  . 19.18 


Total  1^298.58 


About  one-half  of  this  sum  total  is  supplied  by  the 
mission.  The  above  will  present  a fair  average  of  ex- 
])enses  and  the  number  of  men  employed  from  year  to 
year.  It  does  not  include  private  assistance  given  to  the 
])oor,  amounting  during  the  past  year  to  about  forty  dol- 
lars. In  1884  I had  an  additional  helper,  and  in  1883 


©dgln  anD  (3rowtb  of  Stations. 


55 


two  additional  ones — both  from  the  college  at  Tung- 
Chow  fu.  I expect  to  have  for  the  coming  year,  1886, 
but  one  paid  helper. 

The  foregoing  statements  will  give,  I think,  a correct 
general  idea  of  the  character  and  condition  of  these 
stations  at  jTresent.  I'hey  are  marked  by  the  same  weak- 
nesses and  defects  which  are  found  in  a greater  or  less 
degree  in  churches  everywhere,  and  which  we  should 
expect  to  find  in  converts  just  emerging  from  the  dark- 
ness of  heathenism,  and  still  surrounded  by  heathen 
influences,  and  only  imperfectly  emancipated  from  old 
heathen  habits.  In  every  respect  they  fall  sl^ort  of  the 
Christian  ideal,  and  the  ideal  of  the  plan  on  which  we 
are  working.  I am  glad  to  be  able  to  say,  however,  that 
the  evidences  of  vitality  and  growth  are  more  and  more 
apparent  every  year ; that  individual  Christians  are  ad- 
vancing in  knowledge  and  spirituality ; that  the  stations 
are  in  the  main  giving  evidence  of  stability  and  promise 
of  permanency;  and  that  they  are  gaining  a “good 
report  from  those  who  are  without.” 

What  the  future  of  these  stations  will  be  we  cannot 
know.  In  view  of  the  dangers  to  which  they  are  ex- 
posed, and  the  disappointing  results  which  have  so  often 
marked  the  history  of  missionary  enterprises  in  China, 
we  can  only  “rejoice  with  trembling.’.’  Our  hope  is  in 
the  continued  presence  and  blessing  of  our  Divine  Mas- 
ter. We  rejoice  that  this  vine  of  God’s  planting  is 
striking  its  roots  into  the  native  soil,  and  we  believe 
that  with  God’s  blessing  it  will  continue  to  grow  and 
spread  wide  its  branches  and  bring  forth  fruit  to  His 
glory. 


Chapter 


ORGANIZATION  OF  STATIONS  PRESENT  AND  PROSPECTIVE. 

The  question,  What  is  the  best  mode  of  organization 
for  native  converts  in  new  stations,  scarcely  enters  the 
mind  on  one’s  first  arrival  in  China.  Most  of  us  are 
satisfied  that  the  mode  adopted  by  that  )jranch  of  the 
Church  with  which  w.e  are  se'^rally  connected  is  the 
best ; that  it  is,  if  not  the  one  specially  enjoined  by 
Scripture  authority,  at  least  the  one  most  in  harmony 
with  Scripture  teachings,  and  fully  sanctioned  by  prac- 
tical experience.  Moreover,  it  is  the  one  with  the 
working  of  which  we  are  individually  most  familiar,  and 
into  the  practice  of  which  we  naturally  and  unquestion- 
ingly  fall.  If  we  are  unable  to  adopt  it  at  once,  it  is  a 
matter  of  regret,  and  we  are  anxious  to  put  it  into  opera- 
tion as  soon  as  possible. 

When  the  missionary,  associated  with  co-laborers  of 
different  nationalities  and  church  connections,  looks  at 
the  question  of  organization  from  the  stand-point  of 
mission  work  on  heathen  ground,  it  assumes  new  aspects; 
and  a few  years  experience  and  observation  will  proba- 
bly effect  a considerable  modification  of  views.  He 
soon  finds  that  missionaries  of  different  denominations 
ignore  in  a measure  for  the  time  being  their  several 
systems,  and  in  the  first  stage  of  their  work  agree  in  the 
main  in  a new  plan  which  all  have  adopted  under  the 
force  of  circumstances.  He  sees  companies  of  Chris- 
tians placed  under  the  care  of  unofficial  religious  teach- 
ers, and  native  evangelists  preaching  in  unevangelized 
S6 


®rGani3ation  ot  Statione. 


57 


districts,  while  there  are  as  yet  no  organized  churchesf 
and  perhaps  no  bishops,  elders,  or  deacons,  nor  even 
candidates  for  the  ministry ; — only  missionaries,  and 
native  preachers  having  the  names  of  “helpers,”  “cat- 
echists,” “native  assistants,”  “colporteurs,”  “Bible 
agents,”  or  “evangelists.”  In  places  where  stations 
have  reached  a more  advanced  stage  of  development, 
requiring  some  sort  of  organization,  missionaries  are 
sometimes  led  by  personal  proclivities  and  local  circum- 
stances to  the  adoption  of  methods  quite  aside  from  their 
previous  antecedents.  Not  long  since  in  a conference 
at  Chefoo  of  missionaries  from  different  parts  of  China, 
it  was  discovered  that  an  Independent  was  carrying  on 
his  work  on  Presbyterian  principles,  “because  they 
suited  best  in  his  field;”  in  the  methods  *of  another  In- 
dependent from  a different  province  the  prelatical  ele- 
ment predominated,  while  a.  Presbyterian  was  found 
working  on  a plan  which  had  very  little  of  Presbyterian- 
ism in  it,  but  a singular  blending  of  Methodism,  Inde- 
pendency and  Prelacy. 

What  lessons  are  we  to  learn  from  these  facts?  Is  it 
not  this,  that  practical  experience  seems  to  point  to  the 
conclusion  that  present  forms  of  church  organization  in 
the  West  are  not  to  be,  at  least  without  some  modifica- 
tion, our  guides  in  the  founding  of  infant  churches  in  a 
heathen  land.  If  it  be  asked.  What  then  is  to  be  our 
guide?  I answer.  The  teachings  of  the  New  Testament. 
If  it  be  further  asked.  Are  we  to  infer,  then,  that  all  the 
forms  of  church  organization  in  the  West  are  at  variance 
with  Scripture  teaching?  I answer.  By  no  means.  A 
plan  of  organization  in  England  or  America  may  be.very 
• different  from  one  adopted  in  China,  and  both  though 
different  may  be  equally  Scriptural ; and  one  of  them 
may  be  suited  to  the  home  church,  and  one  to  a mission 
station,  just  because  they  are  different. 

The  all-important  question  is  what  do  the  Scriptures 
teach  respecting  church  organization  ? Do  ■ they  lay 
down  a system  with  fixed  and  unvarying  rules  and  usages, 
to  be  observed  at  all  times  and  under  all  circumstances; 


58 


/iftetboDe  of  /iMsslon  “Morb 


or  a system  based  on  general  principles,  purposely  flexi- 
ble, and  readily  adapting  itself,  under  the  guidance  of 
God’s  Spirit,  and  providence,  and  common  sense,  to  all 
the  conditions  in  which  the  Church  can  be  placed  ? 

I believe  the  latter  is  the  true  supposition.  The  same 
conclusion  might  be  inferred  from  the  fact  that,  while 
the  doctrines  of  Christianity,  which  are  obviously  and  by 
common  consent  regarded  as  fundamental  and  essential, 
are  taught  in  the  Scriptures  specifically,  elaborately,  and 
repeatedly,  there  is  no  portion  of  Scripture  where  a com- 
plete and  detailed  system  of  church  government  is 
presented  or  referred  to.  It  may  be  said,  and  very  truly, 
that  God  might  reveal  to  us  a complete  and  authoritative 
system  of  church  government  inferentially  as  well  as 
explicitly.  Had  he  done  so,  however,  would  there  not 
have  been  a general  agreement  with  regard  to  these 
teachings  as  there  is  with  regard  to  Christian  doctrine? 

I believe  that  the  distinctive  principles  which  underlie 
the  different  systems  of  church  organization  prevailing- 
in  the  West  are  all  Scriptural.  The  principle  of  the 
authority  and  responsibility  of  individual  believers  in 
matters  relating  to  the  conduct  of  the  Church  is  a very 
prominent  part  of  the  teaching  of  the  New  Testament. 
The  importance  of  appointing  elders,  or  bishops,  as 
authoritative  leaders  and  rulers  in  the  Church  is  taught 
no  less  clearly.  The  Scriptural  sanction  for  the  appoint- 
ment, at  least  in  the  early  history  of  the  Church,  of 
superintendents  or  overseers,  having  the  charge  and  care 
of  many  associated  churches,  with  their  elders  and  dea- 
cons, is  no  less  evident.  The  degree  of  prominence 
or  proportionate  use  of  these  diflerent  principles  or 
elements  of  church  organization  may  vary  indefinitely 
according  to  the  condition  and  requirements  of  the 
church.  This  theory  provides  for  constant  change  and 
modification  suited  to  the  stage  of  the  church’s  develop- 
ment, the  character  of  its  members,  and  its  conditions 
and  surroundings. 

If  I- mistake  not,  diversity  and  gradual  progression  in 
the  application  of  these  principles  is  distinctly  traceable 


Organisation  of  Statione.  59 


in  the  New  Testament.  The  Gospels  and  the  earlier 
part  of  the  Acts  of  the  Apostles  indicate  a very  simple 
form  of  organization,  or  no  pronounced  form;  and  the 
latter  part  of  the  Acts,  with  the  Epistles,  shows  a more 
complete  system  gradually  developed  from  previously 
established  germinal  principles.  Constant  development 
and  change  in  divergent  directions  mark  the  whole  course 
of  ecclesiastical  history  from  the  Apostolic  period  to  the 
present  time.  How  far  these  developments  have  been 
Scriptural,  or  in  accordance  with  the  leadings  of  God’s 
Spirit,  and  promotive  of  the  best  interests  of  the  Church, 
it  does  not  fall  within  the  province  of  these  letters  to 
inquire.  May  we  not,  however,  raise  the  general  ques- 
tion as  to  whether  the  present  forms  of  church  govern- 
ment are  not  severally  characterized  by  the  special  de- 
velopment of  some  one  element,  to  the  exclusion  of 
others  which  should  supplement  and  modify  it;  present- 
ing abnormal  and  disproportionate  growths,  each  scrip- 
tural in  its  dominating  idea,  but  unscriptural  in  its 
human  narrowness? 

Another  question  arises  in  this  connection  of  great 
importance.  In  our  present  position  of  missionaries 
representing  different  branches  of  the  Church,  closely 
related  to  one  another  in  a common  work;  our  methods 
simple,  and  presenting  many  points  of  agreement;  and 
our  different  systems  of  organization  in  a rudimental  un- 
developed state ; should  we  not  make  use  of  our  oppor- 
tunity to  avoid  as  far  as  possible  in  the  future  the  di- 
vergences which  impair  the  unity  and  efficiency  of  the 
Church  at  home ; retaining  and  perpetuating  a degree 
of  uniformity  and  co-operation  which  in  western  lands 
seems  impracticable?  Is  it  not  our  duty  to  do  this? 
Would  it  not  be  in  accordance  with  the  express  teachings 
of  our  Saviour,  and  also  with  the  wishes  of  most  of  those 
whom  we  represent?  Would  it  not  have  a decided  in- 
fluence for  good  on  the  home  churches  ? 

On  the  supposition  that  present  forms  of  church 
organization  are  adapted  to  secure  the  best  spiritual  in- 
terests of  the  Church  in  the  West,  the  presumption  is 


6o 


/IRetbo^s  of  /IRission  TKIlorl? 


that  ill  certain  respects  they  are  for  tliat  very  reason  not 
adapted  to  the  wants  of  mission  churches  in  China. 
What  circumstances  could  differ  more  widely  than  those 
of  churches  which  are  the  development  of  centuries  or 
a millenium  of  Christian  culture,  and  those  just  emerging 
from  heathenism? 

The  question  recurs,  What  may  we  learn  from  the 
Scriptures  as  to  the  best  system  of  organization  and 
supervision  for  the  Church  in  China  at  the  present  time? 

I.— The  extension  of  the  Church  must  depend  mainly  on  the 
godly  lives  and  voluntary  activities  of  its  members. 

In  early  times,  as  a result  of  ordinary  business  and 
social  intercourse,  and  the  aggressive  zeal  of  the  early 
Christians,  Christianity  found  its  way  to  Cyprus  and 
Syria  and  Cilicia  and  Egypt,  and  as  far  west  as  Rome. 
The  disciples  went  everywhere  preaching  the  Word.  A 
great  advance  had  been  made  before  the  Apostle  Paul 
was  called  from  his  home  by  Barnabas  to  assist  and 
strengthen  the  disciples  already  gathered  at  Antioch. 
Wherever  he  went  afterwards  in  his  work  of  establishing 
churches  in  new  fields,  he  obtained  from  the  believ'ers 
gathered  into  the  Church,  numerous  voluntary  helpers 
and  coadjutors  both  men  and  women. 

I can  find  no  authority  in  the  Scriptures,  either  in 
'specific  teaching  or  Apostolic  example,  for  the  practice 
so  common  now-a-days,  of  seeking  out  and  employing 
paid  agents  as  preachers.  At  the  time  when  Paul  com- 
menced his  public  ministry,  the  churches  established  in 
Syria  and  Cilicia  might  no  doubt  have  furnished  a large 
number  of  such  persons  if  they  had  been  wanted.  It 
may  be  said  that  there  were  no  missionary  boards  at 
that  time  and  that  the  Church  was  too  weak  to  under- 
take such  an  enterprise.  This  explanation,  however, 
does  not  meet  the  case.  Paul  did  not  hesitate  to  call 
upon  the  churches  for  contributions  when  they  were 
needed.  He  evidently  thought  them  able  to  give;  and 
that  it  was  their  privilege  and  an  advantage  to  themselves 


®rgani3ation  of  Statione. 


6i 


to  give ; and  they  did  contribute  freely  when  they  were 
asked  to  do  so. 

The  evils  resulting  from  employing  new  converts  as 
paid  agents  for  preaching  the  gospel  have  been  referred 
to  in  previous  letters.  What  we  wish  to  emphasize  here 
is  that  such  a course  is  without  precedent  in  the  Bible. 
The  members  of  the  early  Church  were  all  witness 
bearers.  Such  we  must  teach  our  church  members  to 
be ; and  without  such  an  agency  as  our  main  dependence, 
we  have  little  reason  to  expect  the  gospel  to  prevail  in 
China. 

II.— Elders  must  be  “ordained  in  every  city.” 

This  duty  is  enforced  in  Scripture  both  by  precept  and 
example.  Missionaries  have  not  been  backward  in  car- 
rying out  this  injunction.  It  is  possible  that  we  have 
erred  in  the  opposite  direction.  While  elders  should  be 
ordained  as  soon  as  practicable,  we  should  not  forget  that 
the  qualifications  of  elders  are  minutely  laid  down  in  the 
Scriptures ; and  to  choose  and  ordain  men  to  this  office 
without  the  requisite  qualifications  is  in  fact  going  con- 
trary to  rather  than  obeying  the  Scriptures.  If  suitable 
elders  are  not  to  be  found  we  should  wait  for  them, 
however  long  a waiting  may  be  required. 

The  Apostolic  usage  of  ordaining  elders  soon  after 
their  reception  into  the  Church,  under  circumstances 
very  different  from  ours  in  China,  is  apt  to  mislead  us. 
The  work  of'-the  Apostles  in  heathen  lands  commenced 
for  the  most  part  in  the  synagogues  of  the  Jews  resident 
in  those  lands.  Even  in  such  places  as  Lystra,  where 
there  seems  to  have  been  no  synagogue,  there  were  Jewish 
families,  and  their  influence  had  been  felt  by  the  native 
population.  Among  the  first  converts  to  Christianity 
were  both  Jews  and  Jewish  proselytes  who  for  genera- 
tions had  been  freed  from  the  thraldom  of  idolatry. 
They  were  sincere  worshipers  of  Jehovah,  familiar  with 
the  Old  Testament  Scriptures  and  waiting  for  the  long 
promised  Messiah.  From  such  persons  the  first  elders 
of  the  Christian  Church  were  no  doubt  largely  drawn. 


62 


/nbetboDs  of  /Iftission  Morft 


It  is  not  strange  that,  as  a rule,  we  in  China  have  to  wait 
for  years  before  Christians  of  the  same  intelligence  and 
stability  of  character  can  be  had.  Our  experience  in 
this  matter  in  Shantung  is  worth  relating. 

'I'wenty  years  ago  our  mission  in  considering  this  sub- 
ject reasoned  on  this  wise: — We  are  Presbyterians,  and 
our  churches  should  be  organized  from  the  first  on 
Presbyterian  principles.  If  we  cannot  get  men  for  elders 
as  well  qualified  as  we  should  like,  we  must  take  the  best 
men  we  can  find,  men  who  seem  sincere  and  earnest 
Christians,  and  who  may  develop  in  character  and  ability 
to  fulfil  the  duties  of  elders,  by  having  the  duties  and 
responsibilities  of  this  office  laid  upon  them.  With 
these  views  and  expectations  several  churches  were  for- 
mally and  constitutionally  organized.  It  was  found, 
however,  in  not  a small  proportion  of  cases  that  the 
elders  did  not,  or  could  not  perform  their  official  duties, 
and  were  an  obstruction  to  any  one  else  attempting  to  do, 
so.  They  were  placed  in  a false  position,  injurious  to 
themselves  and  the  churches  of  which  they  had  the 
nominal  charge.  Some  were  hardly  able  to  sustain  the 
character  of  an  ordinary  church  member,  and  others 
were  in  the  course  of  a few  years  excommunicated.  We 
then  took  action  as  a Presbytery,  determining  that  elders 
should  not  be  appointed  unless  their  qualifications  con- 
formed in  some  good  degree  to  those  required  in  Scrip- 
ture. Perhaps  we  are  now  in  danger  of  going  to  the 
opposite  extreme  of  backwardness. 

In  central  Shantung  no  church  has  as  yet  been  organ- 
ized with  native  elders,  though  some  of  our  stations 
have  had  an  existence  with  from  ten  to  twenty  and  more 
church  members  for  a period  of  seven  or  eight  years. 
We  are  hoping  very  soon  to  ordain  elders  in  some  of 
these  stations.  In  the  meantime  the  leaders  are  unoffi- 
cially performing  many  of  the  (duties  which  will  fall  into 
the  hands  of  elders  when  appointed.-  The  missionary  or 
evangelist  in  charge  transacts  all  important  business  by 
consultation  with  the  whole  company  of  native  Chris- 
tians or  their  leaders.  These  Christians  or  leaders  have 


®r0ani3ation  ot  Stations. 


63 


only  advisory  power,  the  authority  of  deciding  questions 
being  vested  solely  in  the  missionary.  It  is  his  aim  to 
instruct  and  train  leading  church  members  in  the  man- 
agement of  churqh  business,  devolving  it  on* them  as 
the’y  are  able  to  undertake  it,  thus  fitting  them  as  soon  as 
possible  for  assuming  the  care  of  the  churches  altogether. 
The  missionary  keeps  a record  of  these  meetings,  follow- 
ing in  almost  all  particulars  the  ordinary  form  of  session 
records;  and  this  report  is  presented  to  the  Presbytery 
for  examination  and  revision.  Many  of  our  present 
leaders  will  in  all  probability,  after  they  have  been  fully 
trained  and  tried,  become  our  first  elders.  We  have 
found  in  the  experience  of  the  past  eight  years  much 
reason  for  thankfulness  that  we  did  not  ordain  elders  at 
an  earlier  period. 

III.— Our  mission  churches  under  the  charge  of  elders  are 
possessed  of  a Scriptural  organization  without  the  addition 
of  a paid  pastor  such  as  is  found  in  most  of  our  western 
churches;  and  the  appointing  of  such  a pastor  might  prove 
injurious  rather  than  advantageous. 

In  enlarging  on  this  point  I will  quote  the  language 
of  Dr.  Kellogg,  Professor  in  the  'Theological  Seminary 
at  Allegheny,  Penna.,  U.S.A.  It  has  special  weight  as 
coming  from  one  who  is  not  only  a highly  esteemed 
theological  teacher  in  our  Church,  but  has  been  for  years 
a missionary  in  India,  and  has  the  advantage  of  large 
experience  and  observation  of  mission  ‘matters.  The 
quotations  are  taken  from  an  article  in  the  Catholic 
Presbyterian,  November,  1879,  347-  Kellogg 

says:  — 

“ We  fear  there  is  reason  to  think  that  our  missionaries 
have  often  been  in  too  much  haste  to  introduce  the  one- 
man  pastorate  of  the  European  and  American  churches  ; 
and  that  the  growth  of  a church  bearing  the  true  indi- 
vidual character  of  the  particular  people  or  race  has  been 
thereby  seriously  retarded.  Fixed  in  the  conviction  that 
the  primitive  form  of  Church  government  was  Presbyte^ 
rian,  men  have  apparently  jumped  to  the  conclusion  that 


64 


/IftctboDs  ot  flbission  'llClorft 


therefore  the  present  form  of  Presbyterianism  is  the 
primitive  and  Apostolic  arrangement, — a point,  we  may 
venture  to  affirm,  which  has  not  yet  been  established, 
nor  is  likely  soon  to  be.  Under  this  belief  they  have 
not  only  felt  that  if  they  established  churches,  they  mfist 
give  them  a Presbyterian  form  of  government — in  which 
they  have  been  right — but  that  it  must  be  that  particular 
form  of  development  of  Presbyterian  principles  which 
has  obtained  among  ourselves;  wherein,  as  it  seems  to 
us,  they  have  been  as  clearly  wrong.  For  to  take  any 
one  of  our  full-grown  ecclesiastical  systems  and  attempt 
to  set  it  up  bodily  in  our  heathen  fields,  regardless  of 
the  widely  differing  conditions  of  the  case,  is,  we  sub- 
mit, a great  mistake In  too  many  instances,  the 

course  pursued  has  proved  a mistake  by  its  practical 
working ” 

“ But,  it  is  asked  with  some  confidence,  what  is  the 
missionary  to  do?  Shall  we  leave  the  young  church 
without  a pastor?  We  ask  in  reply.  Where  in  the  New 
Testament  is  there  any  intimation  that  the  Apostles  or- 
dained pastors,  in  the  modern  sense  of  that  word,  over 
the  churches  which  they  formed?  We  read  over  and 
again  of  their  ordaining  “elders”  in  every  church, 
and  that,  having  done  so,  they  left  them  and  went  else- 
where. Where  is  there  the  slightest  hint  that,  at  this 
early  period,  any  one  from  among  these  elders  was  sin- 
gled out  and  appointed  by  Paul  to  a position  like  that 
of  the  modern*  minister  or  pastor  of  a church,  or  that 
until  such  an  officer  was  found  they  did  not  dare  to 
leave  the  church  ? ’ ’ 

IV.— The  appointment  of  elders  should  not  interfere  with  the 
voluntary  activities  of  church  members. 

Rather  than  encourage  such  an  idea  I should  postpone 
their  appointment. 

We  are  taught  that  when  our  Saviour  ascended  on 
high,  “ He  led  captivity  captive  and  gave  gifts  to  men.” 
^And  he  gave  some  Apostles,  and  some  prophets,  and 
some  evangelists,  and  some  pastors  and  teachers.”  Else- 


©r9ani3ation  of  Statlone. 


65 


where  we  read  of  “ exhorter?/’  “ workers  of  miracles,” 
“speakers  of  tongues,”  “interpreters  of  tongues,” 
“helps”  and  “governments,”  and  “gifts  of  healing,” 
and#  “power  to  cast  out  devils.”  May  we  not  confi- 
dently expect  that  the  Divine  Spirit  will  also  confer 
special  gifts  upon  the  Church  of  the  present,  perhaps  not 
the  same  as  at  first,  but  gifts  suited  to  our  times  and  cir- 
cumstances as  those  of  the  early  Church  were  to  theirs  ? 
And  should  not  our  methods  of  church  organization  be 
such  as  to  give  the  freest  scope  to  the  exercise  of  all 
special  gifts  conferred  ? 

It  is  to  be  observed  that  in  the  gifts  conferred  on  the 
early  Church  “elders”  are  not  included.  May  it  not  be 
that  this  is  because  the  “gifts”  are  special  and  variable, 
while  the  office  of  elder  is  fixed  and  permanent?  It  is 
not  the  function  of  the  elder  or  overseer  as  such  to 
assume  and  undertake  wholly  or  mainly  the  work  of  the 
Church,  but  to  encourage,  direct  and  assist  all  believers 
in  the  exercise  and  development  of  their  special  gifts  as 
members  of  the  one  spiritual  body  of  Christ;  to  set  an 
example  of  working,  for  all  to  imitate ; to  be  leaders  and 
captains  in  Christ’s  army,  ruling,  instructing,  and  di- 
recting those  who  are  under  their  authority  and  care. 

I am'  disposed  to  think  that  the  tendency  to  make 
working  for  the  Church  the  duty  of  office  bearers  alone, 
rather  than  of  all  Christians,  is  introduced  by  mission- 
aries from  the  Church  at  home.  There  is  a prevailing 
disposition  in  western  lands,  noticable  in  Protestant  com- 
munions as  well  as  in  the  Romish  Church,  to  an  all- 
prevading  spirit  of  ecclesiasticism.  The  Church  is 
regarded  as  an  organization  under  the  direction  and 
superintendence  of  its  proper  officer  or  officers,  whose 
function  it  is,  for  and  on  behalf  of  its  members  and  the 
ecclesiastical  judicatory  over  them,  to  undertake  and 
administer  all  church  matters.  A church  member  has 
a quieting  sense  of  having  discharged  his  duty,  if  he  has 
contributed  generously  towards  building  a suitable  church 
edifice  and  the  support  of  a preacher,  is  always  found  in 
his  place  as  a worshiper,  and  attends  to  the  prescribed 

5 


66 


/HietboDe  ot  /Ubiesion  ‘llClorft 


rites  and  observances  of  the  church.  This  spirit,  wher- 
ever it  is  found,  tends  to  formalism  both  in  the  clergy 
and  the  laity.  While  it  is  far  too  prevalent,  and  it  is  to 
be  feared  growingly  so,  we  may  well  rejoice  that  it«s  by 
no  means  universal.  There  are  not  a few  churches  in 
which  the  main  work  of  the  pastor  is  to  keep  all  under 
him  at  work.  In  such  churches  you  will  find  individual 
growth  and  church  growth,  joy  in  God’s  service,  and 
influences  for  good  extending  to  the  ends  of  the  earth. 

May  we  not  regard  the  religious  activities  which  have 
during  the  present  generation  sprung  up  outside  the 
Church,  such  as  those  connected  with  the  Moody  and 
Sankey  work.  Young  Men’s  Christian  As^ciations,  also 
new  methods  for  reaching  the  masses  recently  adopted  in 
the  English  Church,  and  even  the  “Salvation  Army,”  as 
legitimate  protests,  and  healthy  reactions  against  the 
tendency  which  we  are  reprobating.  Let  us  not,  by 
allowing  our  church  members  to  think  that  their  chief 
duty  is  to  contribute  money  to  the  support  of  their  pas- 
tor and  attend  religious  services,  reproduce  here  in  China 
one  of  the  most  reprehensible  features  of  the  Church  at 
home. 

V.— Paid  or  salaried  agents  should  only  be  added  as  the 
people  want  them  and  can  support  them. 

Here  we  meet  with  the  important  Scriptural  principle 
that  teachers  in  the  church  should  look  for  help  in  tem- 
poral matters  to  those  whom  they  teach.  Many  advant- 
ages spring  from  this  relation  of  mutual  dependence. 

. As  the  pastor  gives  his  time  and  energies  to  his  people 
and  watches  for  their  souls  as  one  who  shall  give  account, 
his  people  naturally  accept  from  him  not  only  instruc- 
tion but  admonition  and  reproof.  The  fact  that  he 
depends  upon  them  wholly  or  in  part  for  his  support 
gives  to  them  a reasonable  claim  upon  his  services,  and 
to  him  a strong  motive  for  the  diligent  and  conscientious 
performance  of  his  duties.  When  the  native  pastor  is 
supported  by  the  Foreign  Board  the  advantages  growing 
out  of  this  mutual  dependence  between  pastor  and  people 


©rgani3atipn  of  Stations. 


67 


are  lost,  and  a one-sided  and  unnatural  relation  is  intro- 
duced, of  people  and  pastor  depending  on  foreign  aid, 
which  works  evil  rather  than  good. 

Whe  experience  of  the  London  Mission  in  Amoy  is 
worthy  of  notice  in  this  connection.  In  the  year  1868 
a debt  of  100,000  made  it  necessary  for  the  foreign 
society  to  retrench,  and  the  native  churches  were  forced, 
with  great  difficulty,  however,  and  by  degrees,  to  support 
their  own  pastors.  That  financial  crisis  is  now,  I believe, 
looked  back  to  as  a providential  blessing.  It  developed 
the  strength,  independence  and  self-respect  of  the  native 
Christians,  and  was  the  beginning  of  a new  era  of  prog- 
ress. Is  it  not  probable  that  there  are  other  stations  and 
other  departments  of  mission  work  from  which  the 
withdrawal  of  foreign  funds  would  prove  in  the  end  a 
blessing  rather  than  a misfortune  ? 

It  does  not  follow  from  this  principle  of  mutual  depen- 
dence that  the  native  pastor  must  necessarily  receive  a 
regular  salary  and  full  support  from  those  to  whom  he 
ministers;  the  wisdom  of  the  London  Mission  in  insist- 
ing that  they  should,  in  the  case  above  referred  to,  may 
possibly  be  questioned.  In  the  early  history  of  a station 
it  may  not  be  either  necessary  or  desirable  for  the  preach- 
er or  pastor  to  depend  entirely  on  his  flock  for  support 
or  to  devote  his  whole  time  to  their  spiritual  care  and 
oversight.  In  the  early  history  of  the  United  States,  and 
at  present  in  the  new  settlements,  the  minister  spent  and 
still  spends  no  inconsiderable  portion  of  his  time  in  sec- 
ular labor  for  the  maintenance  of  himself  and  family. 
Existing  circumstances  both  at  home  and  on  the  mission 
field  may  make  it  desirable  for  the  good  of  the  church 
and  usefulness  of  the  pastor  that  he  should  take  the  same 
course.  The  relation  of  mutual  dependence  and  respons- 
ibility between  the  teacher  and  the  taught  may  be  fully 
expressed  and  the  advantages  arising  from  that  relation 
secured  by  different  degrees  of  help,  according  to  the 
needs  of  the  minister  and  the  ability  of  his  people. 

The  evils  connected  with  the  appointment  and  support 
of  native  pastors  by  foreign  societies  are  such  as  to  de- 


68 


/RbetboDs  of  /IMssion  ‘Wllork 


mand  further  consideration.  The  same  desire  to  stimu- 
late and  advance  the  work  prompts  the  employment  of 
paid  evangelists  in  opening  new  fields  and  of  paid  preach- 
ers afterwards.  The  effect  in  both  cases  is,  I believe,  in 
the  end  the  opposite  of  that  intended.  In  the  former' case 
the  injury  to  the  cause  develops  earlier ; in  the  latter  it 
is  entailed  on  future  workers,  and  goes  down  to  successive 
generations.  Here  again  I cannot  do  better  than  to 
quote  further  the  language  of  Dr.  Kellogg.  In  speaking 
of  the  importance  of  not  employing  and  paying  native 
pastors  from  the  funds  of  foreign  boards,  he  says: — 
“This  plan”  (i.e.  that  of  organizing  churches  without 
pastors  in  the  modern  sense  of  that  term,)  “ would  also 
meet  the  vexatious,  and, — as  it  has  proved  in  some  mis- 
sions that  we  could  name, — the  hitherto  insoluble  prob- 
lem of  the  support  of  a native  pastor.  The  pecuniary 
question  has  been  one  of  the  main  difficulties,  thus  far, 
in  the  establishment  of  independent  churches  in  our 
foreign  mission  fields.  It  is  plain  that  if  a man  be  set 
apart  to  give  his  whole  • time  to  the  pastoral  care  of  a 
church,  he  is  rightfully  entitled  to  a full  support.  But 
^ where  is  this  to  be  raised  ? Most  of  these  young 
churches  in  India,  China',  and  Africa  are  very  poor. 
Fix  the  stipend  as  low  as  we  will,  they  are  not  able  to 
pay  it.  Shall  the  Church  in  America  or  Europe  supple- 
ment their  contributions?  This  is  often  done,  and  to 
the  inexperienced  might  seem  a very  simple  and  excel- 
lent solution  of  the  ^difficulty ; but,  In  fact,  with  this 
arrangement,  difficulties  only  multiply.  For  example, 
what  shall  be  the  salary?  If,  as  has  often  been  done,  it 
is  fixed  at  a point  much  higher  than  the  average  income 
of  the  people,  this  works  great  mischief.  It  elevates  the 
pastor  unduly  above  the  average  condition  of  the  people 
of  his  church.  It  degrades  the  ministry,  by  making  the' 
pastorate  an  object  of  ambition  to  covetous  and  un- 
worthy men.  It  makes  the  church,  in  many  cases, 
despair,  from  the  first,  of  reaching  the  position  of  self- 
support.  A moderate  salary  they  might  in  time  hope  to 
be  able  to  pay  of  themselves, — a high  salary  they,  with 


©rganfsatlon  of  Stations* 


69 


good  reason,  look  upon  as  unattainable.  We  affirm 
without  fear  of  contradiction,  that  no  one  thing  has 
more  effectively  hindered  the  development  of  indepen- 
dent, self-sustaining  native  churches  in  many  foreign 
fields,  than  the  high  salaries  which,  with  mistaken  wis- 
dom, are  paid  to  many  of  the  native  pastors  and  helpers 
from  the  treasuries  of  the  home  churches.  Shall  we 
then  give  a low  salary?  We  shall  not  thereby  escape 
serious  difficulty.  Men  educated  even  as  pastors  com- 
monly are  in  heathen  fields  feel  that  they  are  justly 
entitled  to  more ; and  when  they  hear  of  the  hundreds 
of  thousands  which  the  churches  at  home  contribute  for 
the  support  of  the  Gospel,  and  which  are  supposed  to  be 
at  the  disposal  of  the  missionary,  they  will  not  and  do 
not  generally  take  kindly  to  the  refusal  to  pay  at  a high 
figure.  In  this  way  sad  alienations  often  occur  between 
the  foreign  missionary  and  his  native  helpers.  In  some 
parts  of  Northern  India,  in  particular,  this  unhappy 
state  of  things  is  quite  well  known,  and  formed  the 
subject  of  earnest  discussion  at  the  Lahore  and  Alla- 
habad conferences.* 

“ It  appears  to  the  writer  that  the  root  of  all  this  trou-^ 
ble  lies  in  the  direction  indicated.  Have  we  not  bqen 
trying  to  establish  a form  of  Church  government  and 
organization,  which,  however  well  adapted  to  us,  and 
however  Scriptural  in  principle,  is  in  advance  of  the 
position  of  the  majority  of  our  foreign  mission  churches? 
And  is  not  this  the  real  significance  of  these  trying 
experiences  in  the 'matter  of  the  native  pastorate?  On 
the  Apostolic  plan  of  Church  organization  there  would 
evidently  be  no  room  for  trouble  of  this  sort.  Here 
and  there,  indeed,  upon  our  mission  fields,  there  may  be 
^ a native  church  which,  in  wealth,  intelligence  and  mem- 
bers is  ready  for  the  one-man  pastorate ; but  we  believe 
that,  for  the  great  majority  of  churches,  which  are  weak 
and  poor,  the  original  Presbyterian  system  of  rulership 

^ T 

* The  Presbyterian  Board  has  met  with  precisely  the  same  diffi- 
culty in  Persia. 


70 


/lRetboC)0  of  Mission  Morb 


and  ‘instruction  by  a plural  eldership  is  the  one  form 
which  is  adapted  to  their  need.  The  other  will  no  doubt 
come  in  due  time,  but  we  act  most  unwisely  in  attempt- 
ing to  force  it  prematurely.”. 

It  may  be  urged  as  a further  objection  against  the 
early  appointment  of  native  pastors  over  each  church, 
that  the  assumption  of  such  a burden  by  a weak  station 
while  ill  able  to  bear  it,  renders  it  impossible  for  it  to 
do  what  it  ought,  and  otherwise  could  and  would  do, 
for  others ; and  uiduces  in  its  members  a fixed  habit  of 
planning  and  laboring  only  for  themselves.  , The  sin  of 
selfishness  belongs  to  churches  as  well  as  individuals, 
and  it  always  bears  bitter  fruit.  We  should  guard 
against  it  from  the  first,  teaching  young  converts  that 
“ there  is  that  scattereth  and  yet  increaseth ; ” that  “ it 
is  more  blessed  to  give  than  to  receive,”  and  “ that 
those  who  water  others  shall  be  watered  themselves.” 
The  first  contributions  of  the  early  Christians  which  we 
read  of  in  the  New  Testament  were  for  others  and  not 
for  themselves. 

VI.— Some  results  of  our  experience  in  Shantung. 

Theories  are  very  apt  to  mislead  us ; our  safest  guide 
is  practical  experience.  Though  our  work  in  Shantung 
is  still  in  its  infancy  it  will  throw  light  on  some  ques- 
tions of  great  importance. 

1.  It  has  been  proved  that  the  extension  of  country 
work  and  the  establishment  of  new  stations  is  practicable 
without  paid  preachers.  The  more  than  sixty  stations 
under  my  care  have  been  commenced  within  eight  years 
almost  exclusively  through  the  voluntary  efforts  of  un- 
paid church  members.  My  helpers,  who  have  never 
been  at  any  one  time  more  than  four,  have  only  followed 
up,  fostered,  and  directed,  the  work  begun  by  unpaid  • 
Christians. 

2.  These  stations  do  not  now  need  pecuniary  aid  from  for- 
eigners, and  such  aid  would  in  my  opinion  do  more  harm  than 
good. 

The  leaders  in  charge,  under  the  superintendence  of 


©rganf3ation  of  Stations. 


71 


the  helper,  are,  I think,  caring  for  the  stations  as  well  as 
they  could  be  cared  for  under  the  circumstances.  If  the 
plan  should  be  adopted  of  providing  paid  preachers  for 
each  station,  they  would  of  necessity  have  to  be  chosen 
from  the  leaders,  as  there  is  not  a sufficient  supply  of 
such  men  elsewhere.  Paying  them  for  their  work  would 
not  increase  their  influence,  but  rather  diminish  it,  and 
would  no  doubt  excite  envy  and  dissatisfaction  among 
the  unemployed.  Besides,  the  characters  of  these  leaders 
are  not  sufficiently  tested  to  warrant  their  being  used  in 
that  way.  The  natives  would,  I thinl^  be  unwilling  to 
make  such  a selection.  If  it  should  be  attempted  they 
would  probably  divide  into  parties  influenced  by  per- 
sonal motives,  and  the  result  would  be  great  harm  to  the 
leaders,  and  to  the  Church.  Any  change  at  present 
would  in  my  opinion  be  premature  and  injurious,  and 
we  can  only  wait  for  future  developments  and  Divine 
guidance. 

3.  These  stations  are  not  only  able  to  provide  for 
their  own  wants,  with  the  superintendence  which  is 
given  them,  but  could  and  ought  to  do  much  for  the 
propagation  of  the  Gospel  in  the  regions  beyond.  They 
might  easily  contribute  five  hundred  dollars  a year. 
These  Christians  formerly  contributed  for  idolatrous 
purposes  probably  double  that  amount ; and  if  each 
church  member  should  give  one-tenth  of  his  or  her  in- 
come, the  yearly  contribution  for  benevolent  objects 
would  not  be  less  than  two  thousand  dollars  a year.  As 
it  is  they  do  not  coatribute  one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars 
for  benevolent  purposes,  aside  from  the  necessary  ex- 
penses of  keeping  up  their  own  chapels.  These  facts 
show  a manifest  failure  in  duty  on  the  part  both  of  the 
foreign  missionary  and  the  converts.  The  causes  of  this 
failure  are  various.  First  and  foremost  no  doubt  is  the 
want  of  a cultivated  habit  of  systematic  giving. 

Another  reason  is  the  failure  to  set  before  the  native 
Christians  suitable  objects  to  which  they  should  contri- 
bute. Here  perhaps  the  principal  fault  of  the  missionary 
lies.  Having  no  pressing  n^ed  for  money  in  the  conduct 


72 


/IRctboDs  of  /Ibission  THaorb 


of  these  stations,  and  there  being  great  danger  to  the 
nativ.es  in  hoarding  and  manipulating  money  kept  for 
future  use,  it  was  feared  that  an  objectless  contribution 
of  money  might  only  be  a means  of  temptation  and  do 
harm.  Last  autumn  the  Christians  in  one  of  the  hien 
occupied  by  my  stations,  subscribed  about  sixty  dollars 
for  employing  a helper  to  devote  his  whole  time  specially 
to  that  hien,  and  would  I think,  have  paid  it  cheerfully 
if  the  right  man  could  have  been  found ; but  neither 
they  nor  I could^btain  a man  whose  gifts  and  qualifica- 
tions, as  compared  to  those  already  in  charge,  were  such 
as  to  make  him  desirable. 

During  the  last  few  years  I have  urged  the  stations  to 
contribute  to  the  support  of  the  helpers,  as  the  most 
natural  and  available  object  which  could  be  presented  to 
them.  They  have  done  so  to  some  extent ; but  the  plan 
has  not  worked  well.  They  have  very  naturally  regarded 
the  helpers  as  my  men  and  not  theirs,  since  they  are 
chosen  and  directed  by  me  in  the  carrying  out  of  my 
plans.  Not  only  have  they  shown  a disinclination  to 
contribute  to  their  support,  but  the  helpers  also  are 
averse  to  receiving  aid  from  them.  I have  been  dis- 
posed to  press  the  point  against  them,  but-during  the 
past  year  have  come  to  the  conclusion  that  the  instincts 
of  the  natives  are  perhaps  right,  and  that  my  plan  has 
been  unnatural  and  impracticable.  Here  again  we  are 
led  back  by  experience  to  the  teachings  of  Scripture ; 
as  the  Apostle  Paul  provided  not  only  for  his  own  wants 
but  also  for  those  who  were  with  him,  and  appealed  to 
the  Churches  to  acknowledge  the  fact  that  none  whom 
he  had  sent  to  them  had  received  pay  from  them. 

Rev.  J.  H.  Laughlin  is  now  assisting  me  in  my  coun- 
try work,  and  will,  I trust,  soon  take  entire  charge  of  it. 
We  are  this  autumn  (1885)  endeavoring  to  inaugurate 
the  following  plan,  from  which  we  hope  for  good  results: 
The*  Christians  comprised  within  the  bounds  of  each 
district  or  portion  of  each  district,  are  to  choose  for 
themselves  two  men  to  go  out  as  their  representatives, 
and  supported  by  them,  to^vork  for  the  evangelization 


©rganisation  of  Stations. 


73 


of  new  districts.  No  change  is  to  be  made  for  the 
present  in  the  relations  and  ordinary  occupations  of  the 
men  so  used.  They  are  to  be  away  from  their  homes 
two  months  in  the  autumn  and  two  in  the  spring,  the 
times  when  both  they  and  the  people  generally  are  at 
leisure  and  the  weather  is  most  favorable  for  travelling, 
and  when  absent  are  not  to  receive  a salary,  but  only  a 
sum  to  cover  travelling  expenses.  We  hope  that  in  this 
way  aggressive  zeal  and  a habit  of  giving  will  be  devel- 
oped ; that  much  may  be  accomplished  in  the  way  of 
evangelistic  work ; that  the  reflex  influence  on  the  sta- 
tions may  be  helpful ; and  that  from  the  persons  selected 
year  by  year,  men  may  be  found  who,  after  the  necessary 
testing  and  sifting,  may  be  advanced  to  more  important 
and  responsible  positions  in  the  future. 

These  letters  so  far  presuppose  a state  of  things  in 
which  there  are  native  Christians  to  be  organized  into 
stations.  We  will  in  the  next  letter  consider  questions' 
relating  to  work  in  new  fields  where  there  are  neither 
stations  nor  inquirers. 


Chapter  D1F1F. 


BEGINNING  WORK. 

To  missionaries  beginning  their  work  de  noiw,  without 
native  converts  or  inquirers  and  without  a knowledge 
of  the  language,  many  questions  arise  of  the  first  impor- 
tance which  have  not  been  touched  upon  in  the  preced- 
ing letters.  As  the  beginnings  of  work  contain  the 
seeds  of  future  growth  and  development  both  for  good 
and  for  evil  every  step  should  be  taken  with  deliberation 
and  prayer.  In  addressing  my  younger  brethren  I take 
it  for  granted  that  they  will  not  be  unwilling  I should 
use  a considerable  degree  of  freedom  in  detailing  my 
own  observations  and  experiences. 

The  study  of  the  language. 

It  may  well  be  a matter  of.  congratulation  that  the 
newly  arrived  missionary  is  exempt,  for  the  first  year  or 
two,  from  the  pressure  and  responsibility  of  deciding 
the  many  questions  of  mission  policy  upon  which  he 
must  form  an  opinion  at  a later  period.  Whatever  de- 
partment of  work  he  may  devote  himself  to  in  the  future, 
there  is  no  room  for  doubt  that  his  first  duty  is  to  give 
his  time  and  energies  to  the  thorough  acquisition  of  the 
language  as  a necessary  prerequisite,  to  usefulness  in 
work  of  any  kind.  For  this  it  is  of  the  greatest  advant- 
age to  be  free,  as  far  as  possible,  from  cares  and  inter- 
ruptions of  every  description. 

It  is  very  desirable  to  obtain  the  occasional  assistance 
of  some  foreigner  well  versed  in  the  language  in  guard- 
74 


:©eglnmnG  TlXIlor??. 


75 


ing  against  mistakes  which  are  almost  sure  to  be  made 
in  pronunciation,  aspirates  and  idioms.  None  of  these 
should  be  neglected.  It  is  well  to  know  from  the  first 
that  the  ear  has  to  be  trained  as  well  as  the  vocal  organs, 
and  that  in  discriminating  and  determining  the  sounds 
of  the  Chinese  language  one’s  own  senses  are  not  to  be 
depended  upon.  It  often  happens,  as  two  or  three  per- 
sons listen  to  the  same  vocal  utterance  that  each  hears 
it  differently,  according  to  his  individual  habit  or  pre- 
conception. Of  course  all  cannot  be  right.  Where 
acknowledged  authorities  agree,  if  the  learner  follows  his 
own  ear  in  opposition  to  them,  he  will  probably  go  astray 
in  ninety-nine  cases  out  of  a hundred.  Where  authori- 
ties differ,  it  will  generally  be  on  comparatively  unimpor- 
tant points  and  it  will  be  a matter  of  little  consequence 
whether  you  follow  one  or  the  other.  Even  the  sounds 
of  an  intelligent  native  accurately  heard  and  reproduced 
are  not  as  sure  a guide  as  a thoroughly  elaborated  and 
consistant  classification  of  sounds  like  that  found  in 
Williams’  Dictionary  or  Wade’s  Syllabary  or  the  dic- 
tionaries and  phrase  books  representing  the  southern 
dialects  of  China.  Variations  of  individual  teachers 
from  the  standard  pronunciation  will  probably  be  found 
to  be  localisms  or  personal  peculiarities.  The  systems 
of  pronunciation  referred  to  are  the  result  of  the  con- 
senus  of  opinion  of  many  foreigners,  who  may  be  regard- 
ed as  experts,  and  of  numerous  trained  natives,  during 
a succession  of  many  years  or  generations.  A person 
may  choose  between  Wade’s  system  and  Williams’  in 
accordance  with  his  purpose  to  speak  the  pure  Peking 
Mandarin  or  a more  general  Mandarin.  Either  system 
is  excellent  and  the  differences  between  them  are  practi- 
cally of  little  importance.  They  are  much  less  than 
exist  between  the  languages  of  many  Chinese  officials 
who  can  converse  with  one  another  without  difficulty. 
While  it  is  no  doubt  desirable  sooner  or  later  to  become 
acquainted  with  localisms,  it  is  perhaps  better  at  first  to 
master  the  standard  form  of  the  dialect  spoken,  whether 
the  Mandarin  or  any  of  the  southern  dialects.  Localisms 


76  /iRctboDs  Of  /iRlsslon  'Morb 


will  be  easily  and  almost  unconsciously  acquired  after- 
wards as  they  are  needed.  Taking  this  course  will  secure 
a man’s  being  generally  intelligible ; while  those  with 
whom  he  is  constantly  associated  in  his  home,  where  his 
dialect  may  not  be  spoken  in  its  purest  form,  will  prefer 
to  hear  him  speak  without  localisms  rather  than  with 
them  and  will  understand  him  almost  if  not  quite  as 
well.  By  adopting  this  course,  church  members  would 
gradually  become  acquainted  with  and  be  able  to  use 
the  standard  form  of  their  dialect,  and  thus  indirectly 
the  diffusion  of  Christianity  would  promote  uniformity 
in  the  language  of  the  people  and  as  a necessary  conse- 
quence facilitate  general  intercourse. 

A young  missionary  in  acquiring  the  language  should 
eagerly  avail  himself  of  all  the  “helps”  at  his  com- 
mand. Phrase  books,  grammers,  dictionaries,  a careful 
and  well-trained  native  teacher,  and  the  assistance  and 
criticism  of  some  foreigner  are  all  important.  The 
native  teacher  should  be  made  to  understand  that  giving 
satisfaction  to  his  employer  and  retaining  his  place  de- 
pend on  his  laying  aside  Chinese  ideas  of  deference  and 
politeness,  so  far  as  they  would  prevent  his  correcting 
the  same  mistake  of  his  foreign  employer  fifty  times  if 
necessary,  as  it  probably  will  be.  It  is  a fact,  as  com- 
mon as  it  is  unfortunate,  that  a teacher  sometimes  learns 
foreignized  or  individualized  Chinese  of  the  foreigner, 
who  is  led  to  suppose  from  the  ease  with  which  he  is 
able  to  communicate  with  his  teacher,  that  he  is  making 
rapid  progress  in  the  acquisition  of  the  language,  while 
he  has  unconsciously  been  playing  a game  with  the 
Chinese  teacher  of  “ give  and  take.”  The  result  of  this 
process  is  a kind  of  compromise  between  the  English 
and  the  Chinese  languages,  made  up  of  Chinese  words 
with  an  adhiixture  to  a greater  or.  less  degree  of  foreign 
idioms,  pronunciations,  inflections,  emphases  and  aspi- 
rates or  want  of  aspirates.  The  extreme  result  of  a 
similar  process  is  found  in  the  “Pidgin  English.” 

Frequent  changes  in  methods  of  study  are  sometimes 
desirable  in  order  to  break  up  monotony  and  avoid 


:©ealnning  Morft. 


77 


weariness.  Each  individual  will  learn  by  experience 
the  particular  way  of  prosecuting  his  studies  which  suits 
him  best.  Most  persons  find  that  from  one  to  three 
hours  a day  with  a Chinese  teacher  in  getting  correct 
sounds  from  his  lips,  is  as  much  as  can  be  spent  profit- 
ably at  first'.  The  great  work,  that  of  memorizing  words 
and  sentences,  can  be  done  better  quietly  by  one’s  self. 
When  a good  beginning  has  been  made  in  pronunciation 
and  tones  and  aspirates,  only  the  occasional  help  of  a 
foreigner  is  required.  In  the  course  of  from  six  months 
to  a year,  most  persons  will  find  it  very  helpful  to  spend 
a good  deal  of  time  mainly  or  exclusively  with  natives, 
so  as  to  force  themselves  to  speak  Chinese.  At  this 
period,  a tour  into  the  country  or  living  for  a time  in  the 
country  without  a foreigner,  making  a companion  of 
one’s  personal  teacher  or  a native  preacher,  is  very  use- 
ful. In  the  course  of  a year  or  more,  when  one  is  able 
to  converse  with  some  freedom,  it  is  generally  desirable 
to.  change  the  teacher,  as  facility  of  communication  with 
him  will  be  partly  the  result,  and  that  unavoidably,  of  a 
mutual  adaptation  to  each  other.  A change  of  teachers, 
or  talking  a good  deal  with  natives  generally,  will  en- 
large the  learner’s  vocabulary  and  show  him  how  far  he 
has  got  on  in  acquiring  the  language  as  spoken  by  the 
people.  With  all  the  helps  which  can  be  obtained  a 
man  must  depend  mainly  on  regular,  persistent,  hard 
study.  If  he  has  a natural  gift  for  languages  it  will  of 
course  be  invaluable,  but  even  this  must  not  be  trusted 
to  as  the  chief  dependence. 

In  the  course  of  two  or  three  years  or  more,  the  mis- 
sionary  may  form  a permanent  or  general  plan  of  study 
for  his  .lifetime.  Some  think  it  best  to  confine  their 
attention  to  the  Chinese  spoken  language,  and  regard 
an  attempt  to  learn  the  written  language  or  wen-li,  (with 
probably  a very  imperfect  and  unsatisfactory  result,)  a 
useless  waste  of  time,  which  might  better  be  spent  in 
mastering  the  vernacular  and  fitting  themselves  for 
effective  preaching.  One  might  indeed  in  this  way  save 
much  time  and  also  find  a sphere  of  great  usefulness  as 


78 


/IftetboDe  ot  /Iftission  Morft 


a large  proportion  of  the  population  of  China  is  only 
acquainted  with  the  spoken  language.  To  reach  all 
classes  however,  and  especially  the  influential  classes, 
the  knowledge  of  the  wen-li  is  of  immense  advantage. 
It  may  be  acquired  in  connection  with  a great  deal  of 
other  work  if  the  study  of  it  is  prosecuted  methodically 
and  persistently  and  the  missionary  avoids  burdening 
himself  with  so  much  and  so  many  kinds  of  work  as  to 
make  it  impossible.  I should  strongly  recommend  from 
the  first  a regular  exercise  in  writing  characters  and  in 
memorizing  select  passages  of  the  Classics. 

Beginning  direct  missionary  wbrRT^ 

Here,  if  I mistake  not,  we  are  apt  to  be  too  hasty. 
After  years  of  preparation  at . home  we  are  anxious  to 
begin  our  life  w'ork  at  once.  We  hardly  realize  that 
aside  from  the  study  of  the  language  other  special  prep- 
aration for  the  work  before  us  is  still  necessary.  If  a man 
has  come  from  home  designated  to  a particular  depart- 
ment of  work,  or  the  exigencies  of  his  field  on  his  arrival 
constitute  a call  to  some  special  work,  the  case  is  quite 
different.  If  there  is  no  such  call,  I should  as  a rule, 
advise  him  to  keep  clear  from  the  responsibilities  and 
distractions  of  an  indepetident  personal  work^  for  three, 
four  or  mor-e  years.  One  ought  not  to  allow  himself  to 
be  troubled  with  the  thought  that  he  is  holding  back 
and  not  taking  his  full  share  of  labor  or  with  the  fear 
that  he  may  lay  himself  open  to  such  imputations  from 
others.  I recommend  this  plan  as  the  best  course  for 
securing  the  greatest  usefulness.  In  the  meantime, 
while  the  young  missionary  may  not  be  able  to  point 
to  any  tangible  results  of  work  of  his  own,  he  may  have 
the  satisfaction  of  doing  good  from  the  first  and  that  in 
many  ways.  He  may  bring  a cheering  gleam  of  sun- 
shine from  the  home-land  to  those  who  are  worn  and 
weary  and  perhaps  disheartened  by  the  pressure  of  ac- 
cumulated and  exhausting  toil.  In  leisure  hours  he  can 
relieve  other  missionaries  of  some  kinds  of  secular  work 
which  he  can  probably  do  as  well  as  they,  leaving  them 


^Beginning  IKaorft. 


79 


free  to  devote  more  time  to  work  for  which  a knowledge 
of  the  language  is  a necessity.  In  a godly,  unselfish, 
Christ-like  walk,  he  may  produce  deep  and  lasting  im- 
pressions for  good,  both  on  natives  and  foreigners, 
before  he  can  begin  to  speak  in  the  native  language.  As 
he  advances  in  his  knowledge  of  Chinese  he  can  help 
his  brethren  in  many  ways,  such  as  chapel  preaching, 
teaching  a class  in  a school,  or  accompanying  and  assist- 
ing older  missionaries  on  itinerating  tours.  These  kinds 
of  work  and  all  kinds  of  work,  while  they  will  be  a help 
to  others  and  the  common  cause,  will  be  a still  greater 
help  to  himself, — just  the  preparation  and  training 
which  he  needs. 

/ I should  advise  a young  missionary  when  he  has  ac- 
/ quired  the  language  or  while  he  is  still  acquiring  it,  to 
/ visit  different  stations  connected  with  his  own  mission 
and  stations  of  other  missions  to  acquaint  himself  by 
personal  observation,  as  well  as  by  a special  course  of 
reading,  with  the  diverse  methods  employed,  and  not 
1 t£  be  hasty  in  forming  opinions  and  acting  upon  them 
\ until  he  has  gathered  sufficient  materials  upon  which  to 
\found  these  opinions. 

The  opposite  course  is  liable  to  many  objections. 
Confining  one’s  self  to  the  place  where  he  is  located, 
subject  to  one  set  of  personal  and  local  influences,  form- 
ing opinions  and  acting  on  them  at  an  early  period,  is 
apt  to  make  a man  narrow  in  the  beginning,  and  then 
confirm  him  in  his  narrowness.  In  taking  up  an  indi- 
vidual work  at  an  early  period,  he  meets  with  difficulties 
and  responsibilities  which  he  had  not  anticipated ; a 
great  deal  of  time  is  wasted  in  the  laborious  and  imper- 
fect performance, of  work  which  a few  years  later  might 
be  attended  to  with  care  and  success.  Plans  for  con- 
tinued study,  for  which  it  was  supposed  plenty  of  leisure 
would  be  afforded,  have  to  be  given  up  in  consequence 
of  pressure  of  engagements,  pre-occupation  of  mind,  or 
exhaustion  of  body.  By  undertaking  work  which  one 
is  incompetent  to  do  and  the  difficulties  of  which  one 
cannot  anticipate  important  interests  are  imperilled,  in- 


8o 


/IRetboDs  of  /Ilbl06ion  THIlorl? 


jurious  impressions  produced  which  it  is  diihcnlt  to 
efface,  and  health  and  even  life  may  be  sacrificed.  It 
has  been  to  me  a matter  of  constant  regret  that  a portion 
of  time  was  not  strictly  reserved,  especially  during  my 
first  five  or  ten  years  in  China,  for  laying  a broader  and 
deeper  foundation  for  future  usefulness  by  a more  ex- 
tensive and  methodical  reading  and  memorizing  of 
Mandarin  and  Classic  literature.  Suitable  and  adequate 
plans  were  made  for  such  study,  but  other  occupations 
in  the  form  of  direct  missionary  work,  promising  im- 
mediate results,  were  allowed  to  interfere  with  and  set 
aside  those  plans.  In  this  way,  as  in  many  others,  we 
are  too  easily  induced  to  sacrifice  a greater  future  good 
to  a less  present  one. 

Independent  individual  work. 

Though  the  time  of  preparation  for  individual  work 
may  have  been  somewhat  protracted,  the  missionary  will 
feel  at  its  close  that  he  is  all  too  imperfectly  fitted  for 
the  task  before  him.  He  must  now,  however,  without 
unnecessary  delay  take  his  full  share  of  labor  and  re- 
sponsibility. Before  this  point  is  reached,  providential 
circumstances  and  personal  tastes  and  proclivities  will 
probably  have  indicated  clearly  his  department  of  labor. 
This,  while  it  should  not  be  desultory,  should  not  be  too 
much  specialized.  A variety  of  work  promotes  physical 
and  intellectual  health.  Employments  may  be  so  ar- 
ranged and  affiliated,  that  instead  of  interfering  with 
each  other,  they  may  be  mutually  helpful.  This  is 
specially  true  of  study,  teaching,  preaching,  itinerating 
and  book-making.  Each  of  these,  in  the  above  order, 
is  a preparation  for  that  which  follows ; and  the  succeed- 
ing ones,  by  their  reflex  influence,  stimulate  and  assist 
those  that  precede.  Missionary  life  must  begin  with 
study,  but  it  should  not  end  there.  All  study  or  no 
study — too  much  study  or  too  little — are  extremes  equal- 
ly to  be  avoided.  The  results  of  study  can  only  be 
assimilated  and  utilized  by  constant,  familiar,  and  sym- 


:©e0fnnlng  TKIlorh. 


8i 


pathetic  intercourse  with  the  people,  and  people  of  all 
sorts. 

If  I were  asked,  what  in  my  opinion  is  the  most  im- 
portant of  all  departments  of  mission  work  in  China,  I 
should'  not  be  able  to  answer  categorically.  All  are 
important.  The  most  important  work  for  each  man  is  , 
undoubtedly  that  for  which  he  is  best  fitted  and  to 
which  he  is  specially  called.  Jlook-making  is  the  ripest 
a,nd  richest  fruit  of  all.  Its  influence  extends  over 
nations  and  continents,  and  goes  down  to  successive 
generations.  To  consider  the  different  departments  of 
missionary  work  in  detail  would  far  transcend  the  limits 
assigned  to  these  pages.  One  branch,  however,_Jtiner- 
attention,  as  particularly  con- 
nected, with  the  subject  of  the  previous  letters. 

Itinerating. 

In  engaging  in  this  department  of  work  we  may  cer- 
tainly have  the  satisfaction  of  feeling  that  we  are  in 
complete  accord  with  the  great  commission,  “Go  ye 
into  all  the  world  and  preach  the  Gospel  to  every  crea- 
ture ; ’ ’ and  also  with  the  example  of  the  great  Apostle 
to  the  Gentiles. 

While  the  active  labors  of  this  Apostle  were  largely 
made  up  of^teaching,Cpreachmg  and  wrUIl)^,  Itinerating 
may  perhaps^TFlregarded  as  thdr  distinguishing  feature 
arid'thar to  which  he  was  specially  set  apart  by  the  Holy 
Ghost.  The  great  centres  where  he  spent  most  of  his 
time  were  apparently  not  selected  by  him  in  accordance 
with  a predetermined  plan,  but  were  providentially  indi- 
cated to  him  in  the  ordinary  course  of  his  Apostolic 
tours.  But  most  piissionaries,  however  much  they  may 
itinerate,  will  require  a fixed  place  of  residence,  that  is 
a home,  in  selecting  which  the  chief  considerations 
should  be  health,  facilities  for  acquiring  the  language 
and  a place  which  is  an  influential  centre  in  itself  and 
affords  easy  access  to  the  unevangelized  regions  about 
it.  Such  a home  the  Apostle  Paul  had  at  Antioch, 
where  he  spent  the  intervals  between  his  itinerating 

6 


82 


/iRetbo&s  of  ^lesion  THaorh 


tours.  When  the  time  comes  for  practically  answering 
the  question,  ^‘How  shall  I make  a beginning?”  I 
should  say;  Do  as  the  Apostle  did;  Go  everywhere 
preaching  the  Gospel.  You  can  not  know  where  there 
may  be  some  one  waiting  for  you  and  some  one  to  whom 
you  have  been  sent.  Ask  for  direction.  Christ’s  sheep 
will  hear  His  voice.  How  shall  we  find  them?  Go 
everywhere,  and  wherever  ‘‘Christ’s  sheep”  are,  there 
they  will  respond  to'  His  call.  Then  you  will  have 
a beginning  from  which  to  work,  and  one  of  God’s  own 
choosing. 

Assistants  or  Helpers. 

Our  Saviour  sent  out  his  disciples  on  evangelistic  tours 
two  by  two.  There  are  many  special  advantages  to  be 
gained  in  a foreigner’s  being  accompanied  by  a well- 
trained  native  helper,  if  such  an  one  is  to  be  had ; the 
foreigner  attracting  an  audience,  while  the  Chinaman 
/may  possibly  do  most  of  the  talking.  Constant  inter- 
/ course  with  a native  is  not  only,  as  has  been  remarked 
/ before,  the  best  way  to  acquire  a familiar  and  practical 
/ knowledge  of  the  language  and  native  character,  cus- 
toms, and  modes  of  thought ; but  it  is  also  the  best  way 
1 for  the  foreigner  to  communicate  to  his  assistant  practi- 
\ cal  instruction. to  develop  his  Christian  character,  and 
\ influence  him  for  good.  It  is  not  easy,  however,  to  find 
Just  such  men  as  one  would  like,  even  in  the  older 
stations;  and  the  young  missionary  may  feel  himself 
specially  fortunate  if  he  is  able  to  obtain  one.  Still  the 
work  may  be  begun  and  prosecuted  successfully  without 
such  a helper,  and  far  better  without  one  than  with  a 
person  who  is  not  a sincere  and  earnest  Christian.  Be- 
fore the  missionary  is  ready  for  itinerating  he  will  prob- 
ably have  had  in  his  employ  for  many  months  a personal 
servant,  who,  though  he  may  not  be  a convert,  may  be, 
if  he  is  in  sympathy  with  his  employer,  very  serviceable 
on  an  itinerating  tour.  He  will  everywhere  be  the  per- 
son applied  to  by  the  curious  villagers  to  obtain  all  sorts 
of  information  about  the  character,  mode  of  life,  and 


JBc^inning  IKIlor!?. 


83 


aims  and  purposes  of  the  foreign  visitor.  Indeed  the 
fact  that  your  attendant  is  not  a professed  Christian 
makes  his  countrymen  all  the  more  free  in  communi- 
cating with  him  and  gives  additional  weight  to  his 
testimony. 

If  your  servant  has  been  brought  to  Christ  while  in 
your  employ,  the  fullness  and  warmth  of  his  testimony 
will  more  than  compensate  for  the  want  of  credence 
consequent  on  being  a co-religionist  and  as  such  pledged 
to  speak  for  you.  In  an  early  period  of  my  work  in 
Ningpo,  I had  a Christian  servant  who  was  to  me  inval- 
uable. He  was  a tailor  by  trade,  and  learned  to  be  a 
good  washerman  and  cook.  After  becoming  a Christian 
he  accompanied  me  on  my  tours,  attending  to  my  wash- 
ing, mending  and  cooking,  making  himself  generally 
useful,  and  at  the  same  time  was  earnest  and  judicious 
in  bearing  witness  to  Christianity  when  opportunity 
offered.  Most  of  those  whom  he  met  with  were  more 
easily  reached  by  him  than  they  could  have  been  by  a 
scholar,  as  they  were  nearer  to  him  on  the  social  scale 
and  more  in  sympathy  with  him.  I then  felt,  with  the 
other  members  of  the  Ningpo  mission,  that  he  was  too 
valuable  a man  to  be  employed  as  a servant,  and  he  was 
induced  to  change  his  position  in  life,  and  was  employed 
successively  as  chapel-keeper,  a,ssistant,  &c.  I now 
think  we  made  a mistake  in  not  leaving  him  in  the 
position  of  servant,  and  fear  that  he  has  never  been  as 
happy  or  useful  since  ’as  he  was  in  his  original  sphere 
of  life. 

Boatmen,  cartmen,  muleteers,  and  wheel-barrow  men 
in  our  employ,  and  inn-keepers  with  whom  we  stop, 
though  not  Christians,  may  be  of  great  service  to  us,  if 
their  relations  and  dispositions  towards  us  are  such  as  to 
incline  them  to  throw  their  influence  in  our  favor.  On 
the  other  hand  if  they  are  prejudiced  against  Chris- 
tianity, or  cherishing  a feeling  of  resentment  on  account 
of  real  or  fancied  injuries,  they  may  do  us  much  harm. 
In  fact,  by  their  fault  finding,  exaggerating  real  wrongs 
and  repeating  idle  rumors,  they  may  neutralize  all  our 


84 


/IRetboOs  of  /IRigsion  TKIlorft 


preaching.  I once  employed  a muleteer  who  was  an  ill- 
tempered  man  and  strongly  prejudiced  against  Chris- 
tianity. He,  as  I afterwards  learned,  reported  wherever 
I went  that  the  Chinese  helper  accompanying  me  was  a 
cheat  and  a deceiver ; and  that  moreover  most  of  those 
who  entered  our  religion  soon  became  insane  ! That 
this  trip  was  not  a very  satisfactory  one  in  its  results 
need  not  be  a matter  of  surprise.  I am  glad  to  be  able 
to  say  that  my  experiences  have  not  always  been  of  this 
kind. 

About  six  years  ago,  I was  detained  in  a small  country 
inn  by  a severe  case  of  persecution  which  was  exciting  a 
great  deal  of  interest  in  the  neighborhood.  At  the  close 
of  a busy  day  one  of  my  wheel-barrow  men  came  to  me 
and  said:  “There  is  a man  here  who  lives  near  my 
home  about  twenty  miles  away,  whom  it  would  be  well 
for  you  to  have  a talk  with.  He  stopped  here  for  lunch 
at  noon,  became  interested  in  what  is  going  on,  and  has 
questioned  me  the  whole  afteri^pon  about  you  and  what 
you  are  doing.  He  has  remained  so  long  that  he  cannot 
reach  home  to-day,  and  will  stay  in  the  inn  over  night.” 
In  less  than  two  years  from  that  time  this  new  acquaint- 
ance made  a public  profession  of  his  faith  in  Christ. 
All  the  members  of  his  family,  which  is  a large  one,  are 
now  Christians;  his  home  has  become  an  important 
Christian  centre,  and  eight  or  ten  stations  have  sprung 
up  near  his  native  town,  mainly  through  his  influence. 
These  two  wheel-barrow  men  are  persons  constantly  in 
my  employ,  whether  at  home  or  on  country  tours. 
They  are  not  as  yet  baptized,  and  at  that  time  were  not 
specially  inclined  to  become  Christians.  I often  obtain 
from  them  important  information  respecting  the  villages 
through  which  I travel,  and  also  hear  from  them  faults 
and  irregularities  in  my  stations ; some  of  which  even 
the  native  helper  has  failed  to  discover. 


Cbaptcr 

BEGINNING  WORK — COntUlued. 

How  shall  we  reach  the  people? 

When  places  in  the  interior  are  visited  for  the  first 
time,  there  are  opportunities  to  preach  to  crowds,  such 
as  will  probably  never  occur  again.  The  whole  popula- 
tion moved  by  curiosity  comes  out  to  see  the  foreigner, 
eagerly  intent  to  hear  what  he  has  to  say.  In  preaching 
under  these  circumstances,  even  when  well  acquainted 
with  the  language,  we  must  not  expect  the  people  to 
understand  more  than  a moiety  of  what  we  say.  There 
is  too  much  curiosity,  excitement  and  noise  to  admit  of 
connected  discourse  or#continued  attention.  Besides, 
the  people  are  so  unaccustomed  to  religious  subjects  that 
language  fails  to  communicate  the  idea  intended.  This 
kind  of  preaching,  though  for  the  reasons  above  stated 
very  ineffectual  as  regards  its  main  object,  is  still  by  no 
means  unimportant.  We  may  at  least  leave  the  impres- 
sion behind  us  that  we  have  kindly  intentions,  that  we 
are  not  barbarians,  and  may  also  give  some  general  idea 
of  our  character  and  work  as  religious  teachers,  thus 
preparing  the  way  for  a more  lengthened  visit  and  more 
detailed  teaching  in  the  future.  We  may  also  hope  and 
pray  that  in  the  crowd  which  gathers  around  us,  as  we 
pass  from  village  to  village,  there  may  be  some  person 
prepared  to  receive  our  message,  or  that  the  good  seed 
may  find  a permanent  lodgment  in  some  heart  and  bring 
forth  fruit  hereafter.  A few  tracts  are  very  useful  at  such' 
a time  to  convey  to  the  people,  as  they  are  read  after- 
wards, better  ideas  of  our  object  than  we  have  been  able 
under  the  circumstances  to  give  orally. 

There  are  many  advantages  in  visiting  the  regular 
fairs^  which  are  so  striking  a feature  of  country  life  in 

85 


86 


/nbetbo&6  of  /Ibission  Ulllorft 


most  parts  of  China.  Here  crowds  of  country  people 
are  gathered  and  an  excellent  opportunity  is  afforded  for 
addressing  a constantly  changing  audience,  representing 
many  surrounding  villages  and  distant  cities.  If  there 
are  those  listening  who  wish  fuller  instruction  or  whose 
curiosity  is  not  satisfied,  they  will  probably  seek  out  the 
missionary  at  his  inn. 

In  the  inn  there  is  an  opportunity  for  more  or  less 
lengthened  conversation,  adapting  instruction  and  infor- 
mation to  individuals  and  forming  acquaintances  which 
may  be  followed  up  in  the.  future.  Books  can  also  be 
disposed  of  with  a greater  degree  of  care  and  discrim- 
ination. In  parts  of  the  country  where  there  are  canals 
the  travelling  boat  largely  takes  the  place  of  the  inn. 

Visits  to  native  schools  are  sometimes  very  interesting 
and  encouraging.  Here  we  may  expect  widely  differing 
receptions  and  experiences  according  to  the  character  of 
the  teacher  in  charge. 

Some  missionaries  adopt  indirect  and  unobtrusive 
methods,  avoiding  crowds  and  making  comparatively 
little  use  of  public  preaching,  planning  to  have  the 
people  seek  them,  rather  than  going  after  the  people. 
The  Romanists,  so  far  as  my  observation  goes,  generally 
adopt  this  method.  Their  long  experience  and  success 
render  their  example  worthy  of  serious  consideration. 

Others,  wherever  they  go,  make  inquiries  after  relig- 
iously disposed  persons  or  seekers  after  the  truth,  a class 
which  is  found  in  greater  or  less  numbers  almost  every- 
where in  China,  and  endeavor  to  influence  them  and 
through  them  the  circle  of  friends  or  adherents  always 
found  connected  with  them.  This  plan  is  obviously 
reasonable  and  practical  and  has  the  special  sanction  of 
our  Saviour’s  teachings,  Matthew  x : ii.  It  has  been 
largely  adopted  by  the  English  Baptists  in  Shantung,  and 
with  encouraging  results. 

'While  most  missionaries  give  their  chief  attention  to 
the  middle  or  more  illiterate  class,  a few  feel  a special 
call  to  attempt  to  influence  the  literati  and  officials;  not 
only  because  they  exercise  a dominating  influence  on 


JBeginnitiQ  laiorft. 


87 


the  masses,  but  also  because  they  have  been  in  general 
too  much  neglected.  It  is  obvious  that  this  kind  of 
work  is  attended  with  peculiar  difficulty,  and  requires 
special  preparation,  particularly  in  acquainting  one’s 
self  with  Chinese  etiquette.  Indeed  a4heoretical  and 
practical  knowledge  of  Chinese  rules  of  politeness  is 
very  important  for  every  missionary  in  intercourse  with 
all  classes. 

In  what  way  should  we  spend  our  time  and  talents  so  as 
to  accomplish  most  for  the  advancement  of  Christ’s  cause  ? 

The  dominent  idea  of  a missionary  should  be  duty  and 
not  immediate  individual  success,  as  judged  by  human 
standards.  If  the  desire  for  tangible  results  should  take 
the  form  of  a wish  to  gather  into  the  Church  as  soon  as 
possible  the  greatest  number  of  professed  converts  it  may 
become  a dangerous  temptation  and  snare. 

. It  will  be  early  fifty  years  hence  to  determine  with 
positive  certainty  what  any  individual  life  has  or  has  not 
accomplished.  Only  in  eternity  will  every  man’s  work 
be  fully  made  manifest  what  sort  it  is.  Results  of  ap- 
parently. great  importance  may  attract  attention  and 
secure  general  commendation,  and  yet  prove  only  tem- 
porary and  illusory.  On  the  other  hand  a good  book 
or  a word  spoken  in  season,  may  produce  important 
results  though  the  world  may  never  be  able  to  trace  them 
to  their  true  source. 

Probably  no  two  men  ever  have  or  ever  will  work  in 
the  same  groove.  Each  will  do  his  own  work  best  in 
his  own  way.  If  God  has  called  us  as  individuals  to 
serve  Him  in  China,  He  has  a special  work  for  each  of 
us  to  do,  and  if  we  earnestly  seek  His  guidance  He  will 
direct  us  to  it.  It  is  apt  to  be  a very  different  one  from 
that  which  we  have  been  disposed  to  plan  for  ourselves. 

It  is  sometimes  asked,  what  practical  answer  does  the 
experience  of  missionaries  in  China  for  the  past  forty 
years  give  to  the  question,  “Which  methods  of  work 
have  really  brought  the  greatest  number  of  converts  into 
the  Church  ? ’ ’ This  question  is  a legitimate  and  im- 


88 


/iRetboDa  of  /Iblseion  fUHorb 


portant  one,  but  can  only  be  answered  approximately. 
The  conventional  modes  of  work  which  sum  up  the 
labors  of  missionaries  as  reported  every  year  to  the  home 
societies  are  Bible  distribution,  Tract  distribution.  Chap- 
el preaching.  Translating  and  Book-making,  Schools, 
and  Itinerations. 

The  number  of  copies  of  the  Bible  and  parts  of  the 
Bible  distributed  in  the  different  parts  of  China  during 
the  past  forty  years  can  only  be  estimated  by  millions, 
the  same  is  true  of  Christian  tracts. 

Many  missionaries  have  given  their  time  largely  to 
chapel  preaching  and  have  thus  spent  from  one  to  three 
hours  daily.  A great  deal  of  this  work  has  also  been 
done  by  natives.  The  number  of  chapel  discourses  dur- 
ing the  past  forty  years  can  also  only  be  estimated  by 
millions. 

The  result  of  literary  work  in  the  study  cannot  be 
tabulated.  It  passes  into  and  is  utilized  in  every  other 
department  of  labor. 

The  aggregate  number  of  years  spent  in  teaching  in 
the  different  kinds  of  schools  during  the  last  forty  years, 
can  only  be  numbered  by  thousands. 

As  to  itinerations,  it  is  a very  common  thing  for  a 
missionary  to  preach  in  from  five  to  ten  villages  in  a day 
and  from  two  hundred  to  five  hundred  times  on  a tour. 
The  number  of  these  itinerating  addresses  during  these 
forty  years  can  only  be  numbered  by  hundreds  of 
thousands,  and  including  those  of  natives  probably  by 
millions. 

The  question  is,  to  which  of  these  different  modes  of 
work  is  the  conversion  of  the  about  30,000  Protestant 
Christians  of  China  to  be  mainly  traced?  I am  disposed 
to  think  that  the  number  of  conversions  due  to  each 
would  be  found  to  increase  about  in  the  order  in  which 
they  are  mentioned  above ; and  that  the  number  trace- 
able to  them  all  together  would  be  but  a small  fraction 
of  the  whole ; and  that  by  far  the  greater  proportion  is 
to  be  referred  to  private  social  intercourse : “ The  King- 
dom of  God  cometh  not  with  observation.” 


JSeQfnnlnQ  Mori?. 


89 


In  the  spiritual  work  of  the  conversion  of  souls  and  building 
up  Christ’s  Kingdom  on  earth,  we  of  ourselves  can  do  nothing 
except  as  instruments. 

This  a fact  so  familiarly  known  and  universally  ac- 
knowledged that  it  may  well  be  regarded  as  a simple 
truism.  Theoretically,  we  learned  this  lesson  almost  in 
infancy ; practically,  it  is  difficult  for  some  of  us  fully 
to  learn  it  in,  a lifetime.  It  is  so  natural  for  us  to  feel 
that  with  a good  knowledge  of  the  language,  sincere 
earnestness  and  sympathy  with  the  people,  together  with 
prudence,  common  sense,  zeal,  hard  work  and  persever- 
ance, sooner  or  later  great  spiritual  results  must  certainly 
be  accomplished.  This  is  by  no  means  the  case.  Our 
labors  may  combine  all  the  above  conditions  and  yet  be 
fruitless  in  the  conversion  of  souls.  If  we  depend  upon 
our  gifts  or  acquisitions,  our  zeal  in  the  use  even  of  God’s 
appointed  means,  with  an  underlying  and  insidious  de- 
sire for  a result  which  may  be  regarded  as  something 
which  we  ourselves  have  accomplished,  we  shall  probably 
be  disappointed.  If  we  are  cherishing  a feeling  of  self- 
dependence  in  any  form,  God  will  probably  humble  us 
before  He  will  use  us.  We  must  feel  that  if  anything  is 
accomplished  it  will  be  by  the  presence  and  power  of 
God’s  Holy  Spirit,  and  be  ready  to  ascribe  all  the  glory 
to  Him.  Otherwise  He  will  probably  leave  us  to  our- 
selves to  learn  the  lesson  of  our  own  weakness.  The 
natural  tendency  to  depend  on  self,  or  on  anything  else 
rather  than  God,  has  been  a prominent  sin  of  God’s 
people  from  the  earliest  times.  I am  disposed  to  think 
that  this  tendency  now  prevails  to  a great  extent  among 
Christians  at  home,  and  that  missionaries  commence  work 
in  foreign  lands  too  much  under  the  influence  of  it. 

In  this  commercial  age  a commercial  spirit  has  crept 
into  the  Church.  As  in  business  matters  generally,  so 
in  religious  enterprises,  it  is  supposed  that  a certain 
amount  of  capital,  judiciously  expended,  will  naturally 
work  out  a certain  result.  The  success  of  a Mission 
Society  is  gauged  by  the  amount  of  money  in  its  treasury. 
In  order  to  secure  more  liberal  contributions,  only  the 


90 


jflRetboDs  of  Tiftission  Timorft 


more  favorable  and  encouraging  facts  are  welcomed  and 
laid  before  the  churches,  so  that  they  may  feel  that  they 
are  contributing  not  to  a failing  but  to  a prospering 
cause.  Let  me  not  be  understood  as  implying  that 
money  is  not  important  and  that  the  duty  of  giving 
to  missions  should  not  be  pressed  home  upon  the  hearts 
and  consciences  of  all,  whether  native  converts  or  home 
Christians.  The  danger  I would  guard  against  is  of  giv- 
ing such  disproportionate  prominence  to  money  as  to 
divert  the  mind  from  what  is  of  much  greater  import- 
ance. In  a word,  it  is  making  money  or  what  money 
can  command  rather  than  the  Holy  Spirit  our  main  de- 
pendence. I am  quite  aware  that  all  Christians  would 
earnestly  disavow  any  such  intention.  It  is  not  an  un- 
common thing,  however,  to  find  ourselves  doing  indi- 
rectly, or  unconsciously,  what  we  could  never  be  induced 
to  do  deliberately  and  knowingly.  The  work  we  are 
prosecuting  is  distinctly  and  emphatically  a work  of 
God’s  Spirit.  If  we  fail  to  recognize  and  act  upon  this 
fact  the  mission  work  will  decline  even  with  a full  treas- 
ury ; while  with  the  Spirit’s  presence  it  will  prosper  even 
with  a depleted  one. 

Personal  experience  in  beginning  work  in  Shantung. 

I commenced  itinerating  work  in  Central  Shantung 
about  fifteen  years  ago ; my  previous  tours  having  been 
in  the  eastern  part  of  the  province.  I knew  the  language 
and  had  the  advantage  of  seventeen  years  of  experience 
elsewhere ; but  was  without  a native  assistant.  I prose- 
cuted the  work  laboriously,  making  long  tours  over  the 
same  ground  every  spring  and  autumn ; but  for  five  years 
had  not  a single  convert.  The  work  at  that  time  was 
quite  different  from  what  it  is  at  present.  Then  my 
labors  were  entirely  with  the  previously  unreached  masses 
and  consisted  in  preaching  at  fairs,  in  inns,  and  on  the 
street,  in  book  distribution,  and  efforts  to  form  ac- 
quaintances with  well  disposed  persons  wherever  I could 
find  them.  At  present  nearly  all  my  time  and  strength. 


:©e9innina  “Mori?. 


91 


when  in  the  country,  are  expended  on  the  native  Chris- 
tians, on  the  plan  detailed  in  previous  letters. 

As  a rule,  I now  reach  the  masses  indirectly  through 
the  Christians ; they  doing  the  aggressive  work,  and  I 
following  it  up,  directing  and  organizing  it.  Had  I 
again  to  begin  work  in  a new  field,  I do  not  know  where 
I should  change  the  methods  heretofore  adopted,  except 
in  the  one  particular  of  not  encouraging  in  any  way 
hopes  of  pecuniary  help.  Why  these  methods  proved 
fruitless  for  so  long  a time  it  is  impossible  to  say.  In 
looking  back  over  my  experiences  during  the  first  five 
years  of  work  in  this  field,  it  appears  made  up  chiefly 
of  failures  and  disappointments.  Men  for  whom  I had 
watched  and  labored  for  years,  who  seemed  almost  per- 
suaded to  be  Christians,  went  back  and  were  lost  sight 
of.  Associations  of  co-religionists  were  at  different  times 
on  the  point  of  entering  the  Church  in  a body  with 
their  leaders.  From  them  all  I have  realized  little  else 
but  wasted  time  and  labor,  with  no  doubt  the  acquisition 
of  some  valuable  experience.  I have  in  mind  several 
places  within  my  circuit  where  there  seemed  to  be  an 
unusual  religious  interest  springing  up,  places  which  I 
hoped  would  soon  be  centres  of  Christian  influence  with 
chapels  and  native  leaders ; but  these  expectations  have 
hardly  been  realized  in  a single  instance.  In  some  cases 
I have  endeavored  to  encourage  and  stimulate  persons 
who  have  been  doing  something  in  the  way  of  active 
Christian  work  by  giving  them  a little  pecuniary  assist- 
ance, hoping  that  they  might  be  of  help  to  me  in  the 
future.  This  class  has  not  furnished,  so  far  as  I can  - 
recall,  a single  individual  who  has  not  disappointed  me. 
Help  in  the  way  of  pay  for  Christian  work  which  ought 
to  be  done  without  pay  has  always  done  harm.  The 
amount  of  pecuniary  help  which  I have  considered 
reasonable  and  ample  in  these  cases  has  '‘been  regarded 
by  beneficiaries  as  insufficient,  and  has  often  produced 
dissatisfaction,  complaint,  and  resentment. 

When  converts  have  appeared  they  have  come  from 
unexpected  quarters,  and  in  unexpected  ways;  stations 


92 


/IRetboDs  of  /Ibl60ion  Morb 


have  been  established  without  my  planning  and  in  places 
previously  entirely  unknown  to  me.  As  a rule  the  now 
existing  stations  are  not  found  in  the  sections  of  country 
where  the  itinerating  work  began ; nor  are  the  results 
realized  directly  traceable  to  previous  work  of  seed- 
sowing. If  asked  the  cause  of  the  difference  in  the 
outcome  of  labors  of  the  preceding  and  succeeding 
years,  the  question  is  not  easy  to  answer.  The  influence 
of  the  work  of  famine-relief  and  a supposed  special 
susceptibility  to  religious  impressions  in  the  regions 
where  these  stations  are  found  will  account  but  in  part 
for  the  difference.  We  can  only  say  God  in  His  in- 
scrutable providence  has  so  ordered  it.  For  myself,  I 
have  learned  that  God’s  ways  are  very  different  and 
infinitely  wiser  than  mine ; that  it  is  better  to  follow 
than  to  take  the  lead ; and  that  there  is  need  to  pray  not 
only  that  we  may  be  used  as  instruments  in  God’s  work, 
but  that  we  may  be  kept  from  marring  or  obstructing  it. 

I might  add  here  that  I have  known  of  many  instances 
in  which  individuals  and  groups  of  individuals  have 
been  brought  into  the  Church  with  very  imperfect  and 
erroneous  views  of  Christianity,  and  moreover  influenced 
largely  by  mercenary  motives,  who  have  afterwards 
given  evidence  of  having  become  intelligent  and  sincere 
Christians. 

Some  have  supposed  that  we  are  warranted  in  the  first 
presentation  of  Christianity  in  withholding  those  doc- 
trines which  antagonize  Chinese  systems  and  are  calcu- 
lated to  excite  prejudice  and  opposition,  presenting  only 
those  features  which  are  concilatory  and  attractive,  thus 
drawing  the  people  to  us  and  gaining  an  influence  over 
them,  and  afterwards  giving  them  instruction  in  the  com- 
plete system  of  Christian  truth  as  they  are  able  to  bear 
it.  I doubt  very  much  whether  such  a course  is  justified 
by  the  teaching  and  example  of  our  Saviour  and  the 
Apostles.  God  may  and  does  in  His  mercy  and  grace 
make  use  of  our  incomplete  presentation  of  His  truth 
and  an  imperfect  apprehension  of  it  to  the  conversion 
and  salvation  of  men ; but  have  we  not  still  greater 


®CGinmng  Morft* 


93 


reason  for  expecting  His  blessing  in  connection  with 
His  truth  when  given  in  its  completeness?  I believe 
there  is  no  doctrine  of  Christianity  the  full  presentation 
of  which  we  need  fear.  With  all  our  care  to  ^Meclare 
the  whole  counsel  of  God"  there  will  still  be  a great 
amount  of  misconception  in  the  minds  of  those  who 
hear  us,  and  we  may  well  be  thankful  that  God  will  use 
and  bless  inadequate  conceptions  of  His  truth.  It  is 
for  us,  however,  to  make  our  teaching  as  full  and  clear 
as  possible. 

What  is  the  best  way  to  get  out  of  “ old  ruts  ” ? 

To  those  who  still  prefer  the  old  system  this  question 
has  of  course  no  relevancy;  but  it  is  presumed  that  there 
are  others  who  will  regard  it  as  a practical  and  important 
one.  In  some  respects  it  is  much  simpler  and  easier  to 
commence  work  from  the  beginning;  on  the  other  hand 
there  are  many  advantages  in  having  an  old  foundation 
to  build  on  and  much  good  material  to  use.  Many  of 
our  native  employes  sustain  characters  beyond  reproach 
or  suspicion.  Some  are  efficient  workers;  others  are  sim- 
ply out  of  their  place,  having  been  brought  into  a position 
for  which  they  are  unsuited  and  by  long  continuance  in 
which  they  have  become  unfitted  for  their  original  modes 
of  life.  If  there  are  any  persons  who  are  to  be  blamed 
for  this  result  they  are  mainly  the  missionaries  of  twenty, 
thirty  or  forty  years  ago,  who  inaugurated  the  present  state 
of  things  or  the  societies  which  sent  them  out  with  in- 
structions to  do  so.  Probably  blame  should  be  attributed 
to  no  one,  as  both  foreigners  and  natives  concerned  have 
done  what  they  regarded  as  their  duty  and  whaF  they 
supposed  was  for  the  best  interests  of  the  mission  cause. 
Under  these*  circumstances  long  established  relations 
should  not  be  rudely  severed,  and  the  natives  who  are 
more  to  be  pitied  than  blamed  should  be  treated  with 
sympathy  and  justice. 

In  the  case  of  competent  and  efficient  pastors  whose 
people  are  able  and  desirous  to  support  them  no  change 
is  required.  Other  pastors  able  and  willing  to  “endure 


94 


^ctbo&5  of  /Hbioeion  TKIlorft 


hardness”  might  take  the  charge  of  several  weak 
churches  which  combined  would  be  able  to  give  them  a 
competent  support.  Pastors  left  without  charge  by  this 
union  of  churches  might  be  employed,  if  they  have  the 
requisite  gifts,  as  evangelists,  either  in  opening  new  fields 
not  yet  reached  or  in  superintending  weak  and  scattered 
companies  of  Christians  who  are  under  the  immediate 
instruction  of  leaders  or  elders.  Such  evangelists,  if 
thoroughly  proved  and  tried,  might  be  supported  wholly 
by  the  mission  or  wholly  by  the  native  churches  or  by 
the  two  conjointly.  Others  specially  suited  for  the  pur- 
pose might  supply  the  helpers  and  attendants  required  by 
the  new  plan  as  well  as  the  old.  These  would  be  con- 
nected with  and  under  the  direction  of  the  missionary, 
giving  him  needed  assistance  in  receiving,  entertaining' 
and  instructing  guests  and  inquirers,  in  itinerating  tours, 
and  in  the  care  and  oversight  of  inquirers  and  new  sta- 
tions. Others  unfitted  by  age  or  incapacity  for  active 
service  might  be  retired  on  a pension  and  left  to  do  what 
they  can  by  voluntary  labor  as  private  Christians.  As- 
sistance might  be  given  to  others  for  two  or  three  years 
in  acquiring  some  trade  or  profession.  One  of  the  older 
missionaries  in  China,  much  interested  in  this  question, 
has  suggested  the  plan  of  furnishing  to  suitable  men 
three  years  of  theoretical  and  practical  instruction  in  the 
science  of  medicine ; thus  putting  within  their  reach  a 
useful  and  honorable  means  of  livelihood  and  then  leav- 
ing them  to  themselves.  By  some  such  means  as  this 
men  of  the  right  stamp  might  have  their  influence  for 
good  greatly  enhanced. 

ProTably  son^e  readers  of  the  foregoing  letters  may 
derive  the  impression  that  the  writer  is  desponding  and 
pessimistic  in  his  views  of  mission  work.  On  the  con- 
trary, if  I may  be  allowed  an  opinion  on  such  a question, 
I think  I have  always  been  rather  sanguine  if  not  enthu- 
siastic. I believe  that  much  has  been  accomplished  in 
every  department  of  missionary  work  in  China.  The 
literary  outcome  of  the  past  forty  years  is  alone  and  by 
itself  a rich  legacy  to  the  missionaries  and  native  Chris- 


JSegmnmg  'QXIlork. 


95 


tians  of  the  present,  and  gives  them  a vantage  ground 
in  undertaking  future  labor  which  it  is  difficult  to  over- 
-estimate. The  ratio  of  increase  in  the  number  of  con- 
verts, and  the  evidence  of  growth  and  development  in 
native  churches,  are  also  full  of  encouragement.  While 
we  must  record  many  cases  of  coldness  and  defection, 
we  remember  that  such  cases  have  characterized  the 
history  and  progress  of  the  Church  to  a greater  or  less 
extent  in  every  age.  On  the  other  hand,  we  rejoice  in 
being  able  to  point  to  many  who  give  undoubted  evi- 
dence of  being  God’s  chosen  ones;  while  there  are 
others  whose  names  are  already  enrolled  among  the 
noble  army  of  martyrs.  It  has  been  my  privilege  to 
know  many  Christian  men  and  Christian  women  in 
China,  whose  godly  lives  and  peaceful  deaths  have  been 
an  inspiration  to  me  and  made  me,  I trust,  a better  man 
and  a more  earnest  worker.  I count  among  my  nearest 
and  most  honored  friends  not  a few  native  Christians 
who  are  now  bearing  faithful  testimony  to  the  truth  in 
the  midst  of  opposition  and  manifold  trials  such  as 
Christians  in  Western  lands  can  only  imperfectly  appre- 
ciate. It  has  been  the  object  of  these  letters  not  to 
extol  the  virtues  of  Chinese  Christians,  concerning 
which  volumes  might  be  written,  but  rather  to  point  out 
certain  evils  in  what  I regard  a mistaken  policy  of  mis- 
sionary work.  If  the  reader  has  not  met  with  many 
reassuring  facts  and  cheering  prospects  it  is  only  because 
this  is  not  the  place  to  look  for  them. 

Thankfully  acknowledging  what  has  already  been 
done,  I believe  we  have  not  accomplished  what  we 
might  if  we  had  followed  more  closely  the  teachings  and 
examples  given  us  for  our  guidance  in  the  Scriptures.  I 
believe  that  the  injudicious  use  of  money  and  agencies 
depending  on  money  have  retarded  and  crippled  our 
work  and  produced  a less  self-reliant  and  stalwart  type 
of  Christians  than  we  otherwise. should  have  had. 

I should  exceedingly  regret  if  the  statement  just  made 
or  any  other  statement  in  these  letters  should  be  under- 
stood or  construed  as  intimating  that  the  use  of  money 


96 


^ctboDs  ot  /iRiesion  ‘Umorft 


in  carrying  on  missionary  work  is  not  legitimate.  In 
the  nature  of  things  pecuniary  aid  is  an  absolute  neces- 
sity, not  only  for  sending  out  and  supporting  well  quali- 
fied and 'accredited  missionaries,  but  also  for  Hospital 
and  Dispensary  work,  for  the  preparation  and  dissemin- 
ation of  a Chrislian  literature,  for  establishing  high 
institutions  of  learning  and  for  furnishing,  as  needed, 
grants-in-aid  for  primary  or  preparatory  Christian 
schools.  In  supplying  the  funds  thus  required  all  Chris- 
tians have  the  opportunity  of  sharing  in  the  privileges 
and  self-denials  of  the  work  of  preaching  the  Gospel  to 
every  creature.  Far  more  money  is  needed  for  the 
actual  demands  of  the  work  than  has  hitherto  been 
given.  Some  parts  of  the  heathen  world  now  fully  open 
to  missionary  effort  have  scarcely  been  touched.  In 
other  places,  like  China,  where  the  work  has  begun  the 
supply  of  laborers  is  utterly  inadequate.  If  we  refrain, 
as  I have  strenuously  urged,  from  spending  money  in 
ways  not  sanctioned  by  the  Scriptures  and  experience, 
we  shall  have  the  more  to  use  in  legitimate  methods. 
Moreover  the  Church,  when  fully  satisfied  that  its  con- 
tributions are  wisely  disbursed,  will  naturally  be  more 
spontaneous  and  generous  in  its  liberality. 

There  are  abundant  evidences  of  God’s  willingness  to 
bless  our  labors,  and  evidences  also  that  the  Gospel  of 
Christ  is  as  well  adapted  to  the  Chinese  as  to  any  other 
race.  Let  us  then,  with  unwavering  faith  in  God’s  re- 
vealed word  and  an  implicit  trust  in  the  efficacy  of  the 
Divine  Spirit,  address  ourselves  to  our  labors  with  renew- 
ed zeal  and  earnestness;  praying  the  Lord  of  the  harvest 
to  send  forth  laborers  into  His  harvest  and  for  the  abun- 
dant outpouring  of  the  Spirit  upon  us  and  those  to  whom 
we  are  sent ; hoping  and  believing  that  in  these  most 
remote  regions  of  Eastern  Asia,  so  long  preserved  by 
God’s  providence,  so  thickly  peopled  with  his  erring  chil- 
dren, and  so  lately  reached  by  the  message  of  salvation, 
the  Church  may  yet  record  such  signal  triumphs  of  grace 
and  power  as  have  not  been  witnessed  in  any  previous 
period  of  her  history. 


